Published in 1877 | 516 pages | PDF reader required
PREFATORY NOTE BY THE AUTHOR
Since my first half-fledged work went forth, I have been impelled by a power not mine own, and which I would fain have resisted,—more especially because of the cool and disfavourable reception of "Misunderstood,"—to again enlist in the battle for spiritual liberty, or physical death, the latter being much more in accordance with my feelings and desires at the time.
Many, doubtless, who read these pages, will be surprised to find their sentiments—expressed in their own language, and addressed personally to me—here made public. To such I will say: You cannot be more dumbfounded and chagrined than was I, when the character of this work first dawned upon my clouded vision; at a time, too, when I would fain have consigned my first offshoot to the fate of oblivion,—myself following in train,—so far, at least, as earth and earthly hopes prevailed.
The only apology which I can render is, that it was so ordained by the "powers that be"; at the same time, I pledge my word of honour never to reveal the identity of those whose writings are thus made public; they will, therefore, be recognised only by themselves, unless it be through their own instrumentality.
I will further say, as evidence of spiritual power and agency, that I was taken unawares, as it were, and the work which has been accomplished through me was unpremeditated, although a faint prediction of the same, which I could not credit at the time, had been given. From this it will be seen that no preparatory study or research had been made. Yet, notwithstanding all this, less than a year has elapsed since the first pages of "Misunderstood" were penned; and the contents of both works have since been dictated and compiled, with the exception of twelve short pieces, — the last ones in this book, the very last being my very first.
Also, that nearly three months intervened between the finale of the first and the commencement of the second volumes, so that the time actually employed in their construction could not have exceeded nine months; and included in these were many days in which I was unable to write at all, others in which I could only devote a comparatively small portion of the day to my labours.
I say this not in egotism, taking no credit unto myself, except a conformity, so far as lay in my power, to the will and direction of the controlling agencies, whose work this is, and to whom, by and through a still higher power, is all the credit due.
April, 1876.
I would here state that, owing to the depression in monetary and business matters, I have been unable to proceed with the publication of this work as I desired; nearly six months having already elapsed since the completion of the manuscript. How long a period will now intervene before it can be brought before the public, I am unable to say.
E. J. BEACH
October, 1870.
