The herald., 1895-08-06

vation to truth and of earnest investiga-
tion and good will to others; and those
who attended were evidently men and
women of more than average character
and intelligence. Certain newspa per re-
porters to the contrary Notwithstanding
as these frequently do not even represent
their own personal opinions and observa-
tions. but write rather for "effect"
campmeeting during the entire week of
my attendance was marked success, and
with the exception of one or two little
diversions liable to occur at any religious
or spiritual gathering. where subjects
sometimes ''get the powers''-the best
OF order prevailed. l regretted the mis-
understanding between the managers and
my friend Solon Lauer. growing out OF
an honest difference of opinion that very
naturally arose over the Artsmus Ward of
the camp-jolly Ben Barney-as like the
latter and mis- lively family, and respect
Mr.. Lauer, whom l regard as one of our
most brilliant and instructive advance
thought authors whom the world will yet
know better, aud prize more highly than
it now does.
The question as to who opened that
sealed letter will probably never be set
tied to the satisfaction of both sides,
ana the subject will have to be reegated
to the realm of cases mot proven" Two
things in Mr.. Lauer's very readable letter
in the Times, howeevr, somewhat sur
prised me.
First-It would seem, no matter what
may be his opinions OF Ben. that he
might have had the thoughtfulness to
mention the marvelously convincing
tests freely and without price, vouchsafed
himself and James Lynch, in my pres
eDce by good old DR.. Schlesinger. These
tests, given under the most strict con-
ditions. were in my hearing admitted by
the gentlemen themselves to be perfectly
satisfactory, and this veroict should have
been recorded by Mr.. Lauer in his cores
pondence, for a move of his heart and
brain power cannot afford to be unfair.
l was also panied to read the tlippant
alluslon to Prof. Bowman as a Estates
man oit OF job The expression, as
applied to Mr.. .Bowman-even if new-was
not at all to the point, and was also un
kind and unworthy of its source.
AS regards the spiritualists and their
cause and campm eetings, there is no
good altruistic or Christian reason why
all honest men and women should not
wish them we'll. Spiritualism has done
grand work as solvent Of creeds and
dogmas which, though valuable in their
time and day. have been in the way of
fraternal union and harmony among
Christians themselves, and tor this work
which though unseen has been none the
less potent-they have earned the respect
and gratitude rather than the sneers and
persecution OF church memb bers and pas
tors who honestly believe in God as
Father and man as brother. 1t is true
that through lack of creedal organization
spirituaIism does not present an impos-
ing, visible and organically aggressive
front to the world. Yet. like the stone
cut out without hands it 18th ough in
a modern sense only 4s years old-already
filling the world with an inner and IN
innate consciousness OF the SOULS con-
tinued existence and the presence of de-
parted friends, to which humanity was
practically stranger fifty years ago.
1t is, with all its mistakes. its cruelties.
its frauds and counterfsits. the most
cosmopolitan and universal force in its
manifestations that the race has ever