h schemes of a corrupt oligarchy; no matter how boldly
they plan or how many billions of capital they may control!

"In teaching these things, my children; also in enlarging and perfecting
the work of the Crusade, I can promise you the support and co-operation
of the spirit world. The broad outlines, which I have given, will
suggest the more complete details of the work, which I now leave in your
hands."

"That thought alone, Mr. Fenwick," said Fillmore, "ought to prove a
tower of strength to us. May we not make that co-operation more
effective, by a closer study of the conditions that prevail, and of the
laws which govern spirit life?"

"Later on my son, that will be advisable. But just at present, it is of
the utmost importance, that every effort should be made to improve the
social, industrial, mental and physical condition of mortals, as the
necessary foundation for true spiritual growth.

"Mental growth must precede the spiritual. Power exercised by the mind
over the body, in moulding physical structure, multiplies the power of
the spirit acting on matter, again reacting on both mind and body.
Consciousness, is spiritual life. To enlarge the sphere of
consciousness, is to add to spiritual growth. Evolution, is nature's
effort towards progression. The new spiritual era, which began with the
last half of the nineteenth century, was marked by a dawning
consciousness in the mind of man, that he might become a self-directing
factor in his own evolution. This consciousness in turn, became the
starting point of spiritual evolution on the mortal plane of existence.
The last, having been made possible by the first.

"Reasoning from the premises stated, we must logically conclude that the
embodiment of more mind, of better mind, is a matter of the utmost
importance to the whole human race. As body and brain are working parts
of the mind, its machinery of expression; it is equally important, that
both mind and body should be perfected together. Hence, the necessity
for better social conditions, more financial independence, less labor,
more leisure, longer life and larger brain capacity; and finally, as the
crowning requirement, to be well born! To banish poverty, is to make
these things possible.

"Before a proper conception of the spiritual world can be entertained by
mortals, their minds, by the aid of the sciences, must have acquired
such knowledge of their environments, as shall satisfy the requirements
of spiritua