n the earth;--the
most seductive, hence the most dangerous, form of sensualism that
ever cursed a nation, age, or people. I was a medium about eight
years, during which time I made three thousand speeches, and
traveled over several different countries, proclaiming its new
gospel. I now regret that so much excellent breath was wasted, and
that my health of mind and body was well nigh ruined. I have only
begun to regain both since I totally abandoned it, and to-day had
rather see the cholera in my house, than be a spiritual medium.

"As a trance speaker, I became widely known; and now aver that
during the entire eight years of my mediumship, I firmly and
sacredly confess that I had not the control of my own mind, as I
now have, one twentieth of the time; and before man and high
heaven I most solemnly declare that I do not now believe that
during the whole eight years, I was sane for thirty-six
consecutive hours, in consequence of the trance and the
susceptibility thereto.

"For seven years I held daily intercourse with what purported to
be my mother's spirit. I am now fully persuaded that it was
nothing but an evil spirit, an infernal demon, who, in that guise,
gained my soul's confidence, and led me to the very brink of ruin.
We read in Scripture of demoniac possession, as well as abnormal
spiritual action. Both facts exist, provable to-day; I am positive
the former does. A. J. Davis and his clique of Harmonialists say
there are no evil spirits. I emphatically deny the statement. Five
of my friends destroyed themselves, and I attempted it, by direct
spiritual influences. Every crime in the calendar has been
committed by mortal movers of viewless beings. Adultery,
fornication, suicides, desertions, unjust divorces, prostitution,
abortion, insanity, are not evils, I suppose. I charge all these
to this scientific Spiritualism. It has also broken up families,
squandered fortunes, tempted and destroyed the weak. It has
banished peace from happy families, separated husbands and wives,
and shattered the intellect of thousands."

The following is an extract from the writings of J. F. Whitney, editor of
the New York _Pathfinder_. His view of the subject accords with that of
Dr. Randolph:--

"Now, after a long and constant watchfulness, seeing for months
and for years its progress