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engaged the attention of an assemby of Churchmen meeting to discuss ecclesiastical policy and the relations of the Church with the State and the laity; though the Spiritualists, it is true, number some adherents whose names are to be found in the Clergy List; and one very zealous apostle of this new faith, who takes his stand upon the old story of Lord Lyttelton and the apparition, and who, if memory serves us, has even exhibited a qualified sort of indulgence towards the Cock Lane Ghost, is at this time the incumbent of a populous London parochial district. The organisers of the Newcastle Congress, however, are clearly of opinion that the time has come when the Church must look these phenomena or delusions in the face, to the extent at least of considering how to deal with the believers, were it only by some of those 'short and easy methods' by which the last century divines were wont to treat heretical opponents; for we observe that on the first evening of the gathering, after 'Secularism' has been discussed by the Archbishop of York, the Reverend Harry Jones, and other speakers, Dr. R. Thornton will read a paper upon "The Duty of the Church in Relation to the Prevalence of Spiritualism'; upon which subject, also, Canon B. Wilberforce has signified his intention of speaking."

The following paragraph has also been sent to us in connection with the above. Replying to a communication from the British National Association of Spiritualists, the secretary to the Congress writes"Please make it known to all your members who may be interested in the discussion on Spiritualism, which is to take place at the Church Congress, that anyone, whatever his creed, can become a member of the Church Congress on payment of 6s. for a Congress ticket, the possession of which entitles anyone to attend all the meetings, and to send up his card to the chairman if he wish to address the meeting. When there is not time for all who wish to address the meeting to do so, the chairman calls on such of those who have sent up their cards as he sees fit."

AN ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY FOR THE CHILDREN OF

SPIRITUALISTS.

We have before us the draft of a circular announcing the forthcoming issue of an illustrated monthly magazine specially intended for the children of Spiritualists, provided a sufficient number of yearly subscribers are obtained to ensure the projectors a reasonable prospect of success for their little venture. It is only with feelings of pleasure and the heartiest of good wishes that we give publicity to the scheme. It is a good sign when the attention of any class or body of men is turned to the subject of the education of the little ones who will some day come out into the heat and burden of the battle of life, taking up the position which we older workers will some day or other vacate. To say that the early training of a man very materially influences the results of his life is only to utter a

truism, and unfortunately it has often been said that Spiritualists. appear to be indifferent as to training up of their children in the principles they profess. And it must be admitted that so far but little effort has been made either through the press or platform to appeal to the minds of our little ones. Feeling that a field of useful work" (we now quote from the circular before us) was to be found in this direction, and several friends of Spiritualism and liberal thought highly commending the idea that arose out of that feelingviz., that an attempt ought to be made to occupy the vacant ground, it has been proposed to do so by establishing a monthly magazine for the children of Spiritualists.

"But in order to avoid the risk of failure, and to fully test the need of such a venture, it has been decided not to commence until a sufficient number of promises of support have been received to cover the expenses of production for one year. The price of the magazine will be 2d. per month or 2s. 6d. per annum, post free, and if 300 annual subscribers are obtained, the first number will appear on the 1st October next. It is proposed to call it 'LITTLE HEARTS AND LITTLE HANDS.' And its contents will include Poetry and Fiction of advanced principles suitable for children, Puzzles, Pictures, Prize Essays, Short Tales, Funny Scraps, and lots of little things that boys and girls are interested in. An important feature will be The Red Rose Roll, those entering their names pledging themselves always to treat animals with kindness."

We have quoted at length because we feel the matter is of great importance, and we trust our readers will do all in their power not only to support it themselves, but also to make it known amongst their friends. We are informed that Miss F. J. Theobald the authoress of "Bob and I," has promised to contribute a serial tale to its pages. In conclusion we can only repeat our desire to see the project a great success. The business manager of the magazine will be Mr. J. J. Morse, 53 Sigdon Road, Dalston, E., to whom communications should be addressed, or if any letters are sent to our care we will see that they are duly forwarded to the right quarter.

BRIEF MENTIONS.

Signor Damiani, a well-known Italian Spiritualist, is now in London. We understand he intends to make this city his permanent abode. Dr. Monck, who has been on the sick-list for the past twelve months, is still looking very ill. Speaking at Ladbroke Ĥall recently, he expressed a hope that he should soon be able to place his medial powers at the service of those desirous of investigating psychological phenomena.The rooms of the British National Association of Spiritualists at 38 Great Russell Street are closed until Monday, September 12th, inclusive.

"God is love." All doctrines must finally be brought to that light, and be judged and corrected thereby.—J. W. Farquhar.

MONTHLY SUMMARY

OF

CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUAL OPINION.

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"LIGHT" (LONDON).

(July 23-August 20.)

Light continues the very thoughtful letters by Mrs. Penny on the "Power of Imagination." Miss Arundale gives a vindication of the principles of re-incarnationists from a point of view that evidently has been arrived at after careful study, and in reality, perhaps, places their views better and more clearly before the English public than was the case before the French school of re-incarnationists had, by their own action, cut themselves adrift from all the students of metaphysical phenomena. A. M. H. W." gives an account of the Seaford knockings, when it appears that in the characteristically devout neighbourhood of Tiverton, some knockings took place akin to those that are described in Glanville's book "Sadducismus Triumphatus."- -This month there is a paucity of fact in the pages of this usually well conducted paper; and even the imaginative power has not been much exercised by its contributors. In Light is one of those papers that mark a certain phase in the history of the movement, and we should be sorry were any diminution of known facts of interest to take place, if it should be found that the record of a very few phenomena, and a great deal of speculation on the aspect of Spiritualism towards some sort of theology, was the only substance afforded to its readers. Light has a task before it, and it would be a pity if a vague way of considering facts were to detract from its being at a future. time a definite record of Spiritualism as it was able to stand in England in the year of grace, 1881. We are glad to see that the list of honorary or corresponding members of the B.N.A.S. has been partially revised, and that there is now merely a little confusion as to the addresses in foreign lands of some of the members. No person who is, however, absolutely non-existent is (at present, at least) kept on the list.

"SPIRITUALIST" (LONDON).

(July 29th-August 19th.)

The Spiritualist contains a very sensible article by Mr. A. J. Cranstoun on "The Characteristics of Buddhist Adepts." What especial knowledge Mr. Cranstoun has of the Buddhist

tenets we do not know; and he evidently has attributed to certain persons more than was absolutely the faith of Buddha. This error was very well corrected by "C.C.M." in a subsequent letter. Mr. Cranstoun seemed to imagine that the English votaries of Buddha were in the habit of consuming flesh diet and alcohol. But as a fact, those persons who have attained what may be considered as a high proficiency in Gupta Vidya do not need any mere casual restriction. Into the question of the comparative advantages of the practice of vegetarianism and teetotalism, we do not enter. There are many spiritualists who think that either is conducive to the welfare of the individual; and others who resent the forbiddal of meat and wine almost as a Manichean heresy. -Mr. O'Sullivan, who has returned to London fresh for the subject of Spiritualism, gives an account of the mediumship of Mr. J. C. Husk and Miss Catherine Pawley, that may be of value. The unkindest cut of all, was when Miss Pawley's control absolutely mistook Mr. O'Sullivan for a Northern American. Those who know how severely he suffered in the cause of the Confederate States are enabled to diagnose the extraordinary character of this error.- -Those who have read Moliere's "Medecin Malgré lui," are enabled to estimate how far the ludicrous story of "Konx Ompax" can be legitimately put down to Shelley. We scarcely like so many jokes on this subject. The eternal destiny of man for good, or for evil, can scarcely be regarded in this method, and those persons who have had communication with the Himalayan Brothers of Thibet, will not feel inclined to be stung by mere jokes into repeating their statement. If the word of an honourable man is once denied, he does not deem its repetition necessary, and what has been said, is said.- -The article on "Rock Oil and Religion" is chiefly devoted to the advocacy of the theory that the ancient Jews were acquainted with the inflammable properties of petroleum. How this can explain the celebrated miracle of Elijah and the priests of Baal is more than most critics could guess.- The last number of the Spiritualist contains a ponderously majestic article by H. P. Blavatsky on the recent controversy. It is to be hoped that this is now finished, and at an end, as it has long passed beyond what used to be called "Parliamentary Limits." H. P. B. gives us measured, wellweighed language that must carry conviction to all persons respecting the real limits of distinction between Occultism and Kabbalism, and points out that the work of Simon Ben Jochai is the disfigured version of its primitive source, the great Chaldean Book of Numbers. Madame Blavatsky, with great dignity does not deign to vindicate Mr. Sinnett's statement of

the existence of the Himalayan Brothers."Noemon" continues his ingenious articles on the fundamental conditions of transcendentalism.

"MEDIUM" (LONDON).
(July 22-August 19.)

The Medium contains a reprint of Mr. Hudson Tuttle's celebrated article on Alexander Aksakof, the pioneer Spiritualist of Russia. Mr. M'Dowall's article on "Spiritual Science and the Fourth Dimension" is one that is well capable of inspiring perusal. The author, however, seems to accept the definition of spirit that is given by some nonspiritual mind. When he describes "soul-substance" as being interchangeable, we fail to see on what ground he stands. The philosophy of Lorenz Ockenfuss has told us something of the conditions that affect "Schleim-substanz," which is the old German word for bioplasm; but how any one, not an Aristotelian, can possess a fixed and definite notion of “ soul-substance" we cannot see. If Spiritualism is to be reduced to a mere discussion of atomic theories, the materialists will have much the best of the argument. Two successive numbers of the Medium are devoted to an examination by the Hon. J. L. O'Sullivan, of the phenomena observed by the Count de Bullet, through the medium Firman. Drapery being avowedly and honestly introduced into the cabinet, John King, Glaucus, Alexandrine, and other spirit-forms showed themselves, clad in M. de Bullet's drapery, and allowed themselves to be photographed. Some of the photographs taken look a little like masks; some bear a suspicious resemblance to the busts that Italian formatori have on sale resembling Greek and Roman classical models. But there can be no doubt of the perfect sincerity and good faith of Mr. O'Sullivan, who, some years ago, in the pages of the Spiritualist, probably exhausted the subject of the description of these photographs.The Medium, as heretofore, devotes an enormous amount of space to such subjects as "Comprehension," which is past our understanding, and also to the record of the occasional outings of country spiritualists. Probably the present season of the year may be the justification for the latter course, though people in London are not much interested to learn the price whereat hot water can be supplied to excursionists a hundred miles away. In London hot water is far more easily procurable in a symbolical sense, and the conductors of a newspaper do not need to accumulate evidence of its distribution in the provinces.It appears that Dr. Monck, who, some years ago, was alleged, on the excellent authority of Mr. A. J. Cranstoun, to be a genuine medium,

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