Invocation.

Oh! Father of Light, of Love, of Truth! waft Thy Eternal Glory around us. Wrap Thy earthly creatures in Thy halos of affinity. Make them to understand that they who have preceded them to the new and more perfect existence are not dead, but nave been transferred to the Inner Sphere of Life.

We ask Thee not to save them from the pains attending the body, induced by disregarding Thy laws, for justice demands that such disregard should be followed by suffering. Oh! Father, Who drawest our souls towards Thee, teach them to bring their lives under the guidance of Thy beneficent laws, so that they may become enchanted with the lovely and the noble, and transfixed in their intentions of leading lives of truth and honesty. Inspire them with a desire to seek Thy blessing, and make them to know that their paths may be strewn with flowers: that no darkness hangs around Thy Ancient Beauty; that no clouds dull Thy appearance, and that no monuments of man's erection contain Thee; but a Glorious and Eternal Life and Ever-Glorious Immortality hang around Thee, attracting the living and the so-called dead!

The grave is bridged: the channels are opened, and gushing waters pour forth. No pomp, no ceremony; but high on the hill, low in the dale, we can find Thee, there can we know Thee. We look to Thee, Thou Glorious Being, for all strength, and we regard Thee with love and gratitude, divested of every particle of fear. Good night.

The following is a communication from a student of astronomy, lately passed to the inner life, received through the mediumship of Miss Phillips, of Sandhurst:—

Stupendous and transcendental scenes! To the furthest verge of creation—where truth stands revealed, and where wonder, abashed, is dazzled by the yet higher glories in the vision, and in the contemplation of Deity—the countless luminaries of unfathomed worlds are blending in sweet accord, and everywhere the wisdom and love of the Great Father is expressed—not as told us of in the olden time. The happy sons and daughters of one happy Father rejoice in the matchless power He is ever scattering around them. Oh, can it be!—that man, so pitiful—so pitiful in his automatic impotence may dare to set up faiths and decrees at variance with those mighty laws prevading the great Universe? And yet he dares to do so—puny in intellect, and insignificant as he appears, when compared to the immensity of page 60 creation—the illimitable source of glory and power that calls God "Maker." Oh! I have learned the blessedness of Truth; for, as I learn it, it tells me of God's mercy to man—to me—to you—to all His creatures. Deep is the joy with which I have learned to soar, and rich the reward I have reaped.

In earth-life I spent many anxious nights in learning something of the stretch of worlds which my tired brain sought to compass. Now! I count immeasurable galaxies of stars and systems—systems on systems—through the shining space—vaster and vaster in their grandeur—countless as dust—spangling space like unto the purest gems, and never feel oppressed. No more the night must close my happy study : no more the day, breaking upon a sleeping world, ends my vigils. I have gained those spheres where the entranced soul can revel in its glorious contemplations of infinity. Look around where I lead your thoughts : look around where the wishes of God are fulfilled, and see how tenderly He has sought to give you beauty. The stars o'er head express His love and power: all tell you of this—everything so beautiful in design, that if you are asked for a creed or faith in which you seek to worship God, let Nature be the happy Scriptures you are acquainted with; and learn from her the secrets alphabetically given here, until you learn to read the deeper lessons she holds in her bosom, and further, the chapter of life in which your Father tells you the principles of happiness—the destiny of mankind; for all that is around you holds the same simple examples of your higher life, and you know it not. Then learn, as I learned before I entered the happy bright "Beyond," that in the plants, and in the water, are hidden some of the elements you have within yourselves. How strong the heart grows when you inquire into and comprehend these secrets! The wise men of science are happy in such thoughts. You cannot fear a God so bright, so good; and in seeking to do your own part, you feel a consciousness that you have grown spiritually, from the contemplation of the beautiful and true.

"The astronomer, with patient searching gaze,
Doth with his tube the depths of space explore :
Shows Neptune's orb, or, 'neath the solar blaze,
Reveals a world by man unseen before.
Justly the world rewards his arduous toil,
From land to land the breezes bear his name;
But he who doth a spirit-world reveal,
Not far in space, but near to every soul,
Which nought but mists of sense and sin conceal,
(Would from men,s sight these mists at length might roll!)
He is with incredulity received,
Or with a slow, reluctant faith believed."