ngs, but types. So somewhere in our
sphere are spirits who embody cleverness in creations of their own
fancy, and adopt names suited to that fancy."

Thus the spirits themselves confess that the names they often assume are
not those of real beings, but typical and fanciful. Nothing more, it would
seem, is necessary to complete the condemnation of Spiritualism, so far as
its own nature is concerned. When in addition to all else, it appears that
the spirits cannot be identified; that the whole underlying claim that the
spirits are the spirits of the dead, must itself be assumed; and that,
too, in the face of the numberless known falsehoods and deceptions that
are constantly issuing from the unseen realm,--there is nothing left for it
to stand upon.

Chapter Six.

ITS PROMISES: HOW FULFILLED.

It is fair to call Spiritualism to account as to the fulfilment of the
promises involved in its challenge to the world when it stepped upon the
stage of action. No movement ever opened with more magnificent promises.
It posed before the world as an angel of heavenly light. It claimed to be
the second coming of Christ. It claimed to have been sent to regenerate
mankind, and renovate the world. We give herewith a few of its
spirit-inspired pretensions. Its "Declaration of Principles," Article 20,
says:--

"The hearty and intelligent convictions of these truths [the
teachings of spirits] tend to energize the soul in all that is
good and elevating, and to restrain from all that is evil and
impure, ... to quicken all philanthropic impulses, stimulating to
enlightened and unselfish labors for universal good."

In behalf of the cause of woman it says:--

"Spiritualism has done more for the advancement of true womanhood
than the Church or any of its accessories."--_Dr. Watson, in Banner
of Light, April 16, 1887._

Miss A. L. Lull, in the _Religio-Philosophical Journal_ of Jan. 23, 1886,
said:--

"Spiritualism is the saviour of humanity, because it is reaching
out toward the criminal, and in its effort to lift humanity to a
higher plane, it is laying the foundation for future
generations.... Spiritualism comes to cleanse out the dregs and
wretchedness of humanity."

Mrs. Cora L. V. Richmond, in a mediumistic discourse reported in the
_Banner of Light_, April 3, 1886, said:--

"The Great Reformer of the world