lapse.

Free thoughted, earnestly disposed toward the acquirement and
dissemination of absolute spiritual truth, as was not unnatural, I
thoroughly investigated the 'Supernaturalism' of the day. I soon
assented to the general proposition that sociability with the invisibles
is practicable, if not profitable; but ever held at a cheap rate the
philosophies and religions, harmonious and other, which the full-blooded
ghost-mongers so zealously promulgated. I still maintain that great good
will result from these chaotic developments; for instance, that the
impartial mind will find in them that scientific foundation for belief
in much of the supernaturalism (to repeat the absurd expression) of the
Bible, of which the age stands in such woful need. That this generation
does experience such a lack is made sufficiently apparent in the 'Essays
and Reviews.' On no other point are the noble freemen who therein and
thereby grope after the 'readjustment,' so utterly deaf, dumb, halt, and
blind, as they are in respect to Scripture miracles. In fact, these
writers cast the most wondrous of the _actae sanctorum_ to the winds.
Methinks the more thoughtful and earnest men of Christendom must, then,
assent to the proposition that we have pressing need of a new flood of
such practical phenomena as sturdy old Baxter gave to the Sadducees of
his day, in his 'Certainty of the World of Spirits.' Whether these
strange doings gradually cease, or take on new and more striking
aspects, I doubt not they will help to give a healthy vigor to our
emaciated faith in the existence of an unseen and spiritual world. Let
us not, then, utterly scorn the strange rabble who have rushed headlong
after this curiousest curiosity of modern times--except the
rebellion--even though they may remind us of 'the Queen's ragged
regiment of literature.' It should be taken for granted that so
startling a novelty would attract the floating scum of society, whether
the solid folk heeded or derided it.

Though the following narrative may bring upon me an infinite derision, I
have long felt that it should be published, on account of the light it
throws upon some of the most mysterious facts of existence. Others may
have had similar experiences; but, if so, pride keeps them from
confessing how utterly they have been hoodwinked and enslaved by those
invisible loafers who form so large a portion of the newcomers and who
are permitted--not to put on too fine a point--to do the di