be in error, for we had all been closely watching the movements of the steamers, but had seen no other vessel near by. Her words made a deep impression upon me, however, and I feared the result which her prophetic nature already saw.

"Oh! please go down to the shore and watch for the poor creatures. It seems as if I could hear their cries for help even now. Why, why did I say

I loved the storm? O, for just one moment of blessed sunshine!"

Fantine's worst fears were realized. The little boat had struck the treacherous rocks and had been capsized. Two inmates of the boat were saved, the third was never seen after that pall of fog had closed around him. The drowned man was Albert Sayles.

[To be continued.]

WAITING.

A CHORD in life's rhythm is missing,
Whose scale was the harmonic tone,
Whose touch was the soul's gift Elysian
Which breathed of the spirit alone.

In silence an echo is wafted,

A resonance' softest refrain;

Like the glimpse of the depth first awakened,
I wait for the incoming strain.

But ah! in the waiting I'm weary;

It haunts e'en the moments of rest;
And hope, though the brightest, is dreary,
Where once was the gleam of my quest.
Oh dearth of the desert far-spreading,
Which circles my noonday of life;
Revive like the dawn of the spring-time,
And vanish this desolate strife!

One thrill from the Central Vibration,
The realm of the Unspoken Word, -
Which awakened the soul from its slumber,
When first by its melody stirred.

In the all of the All I am waiting
Where light in the darkness is shown,
Where splendors primeval replenish,
Illumined, benighted, and lone.

M. SHILL.

"RELIGION is the science of man's duty to man." The failure, in so far as they have failed, of all the creeds of the past is largely due to the insistence wherewith they have addressed themselves to Deity, at the expense of the practical betterment of humanity. The religion of the future will be one which will cease spending its entire energies in childish efforts to "glorify" a Being immeasurably beyond the reach of, and desire for adulation, and spare more of its endeavors in raising the down-fallen. It would be a blessing if many of our magnificent churches, built of the blood and sinew of the impoverished, could be converted into school-houses and the other necessities of a higher existence. (Ed.)

EXPLANATION.

JERSEY CITY, N. J.

EDITOR ESOTERIC.

Dear Sir:

IT is just possible that in my Esoteric Talk series of February 1890, I laid myself open to criticism, which I at once appreciate as showing that the theme is attracting attention. You see, in a series of talks where brevity is the rule, an author must say much in little at the risk of apparent error. On page 340 you will find it stated, by implication, that the distance of the "Globe from the Sun is three times greater than that of Venus, which is one-third the size of the Earth." This is an error rather by accidental implication than by the intention of the writer, just the same as there is a great variation between a relative and a true distance. The critic must agree with me that Venus has two conjunctions, viz. the inferior and the superior. In the first, she is only 26,000,000 miles from the earth, while at the second she will be 164,000,000 miles; consequently, not being always at the same distance between the Sun and the Earth, and at her superior conjunction 138,000,000 miles farther away than at the inferior conjunction, the distance (relative) would seem to be quite the number of times given. This can be explained only upon the ground that, from the phase of moving from the inferior to the superior conjunction, Venus appears on the west side of the Sun as our morning star; and when she has reached the necessary elongation to attain the superior distance, she begins to retrace her way back to the inferior, continually appearing as our evening star. It is then that she reaches the superior conjunction, where it seems to me the Earth is much more than one-fifth farther from the Sun than Venus, though one-fifth might cover the distance when she is at the inferior conjunction. But neither Kepler, Herschel, Bode nor Newton ever insisted that their scales of human calculation of distances should be accepted as infallible; if so, why the great interest taken in every transit of Venus until that one is reached which shall solve the astronomical problems of the age, by enabling the savants to more accurately determine the distances of heavenly bodies; first, from the central orb; and, secondly, from each other. What we need is a true astronomical measurement of the heavens, just as perfect as our modern measurement of time. Next, as 7,621 is to 7,924 in miles, or 16.5 is to 17.1552 in M. Dist. diameter, so must Venus be one-fifth smaller, in total bulk, than the earth.

As

Thus, I claim that, though the occasional relative distance is obtained, the mean distance of the Earth from the Sun is one-fifth greater than that of Venus, which in bulk is also one-fifth less than of our Globe. Bode intimated, but could not practically demonstrate, there is a harmony in weights and measures in space of which mankind has yet to learn more. Look at Mercury: we are told it is only 2,984 miles in its true diameter; yet, it is nearest to the Sun. Now, study Neptune, the most distant of the primary planets. It is calculated to be 31,000 miles in diameter, and situated at a distance of 2,580,000,000 miles from our Sun, around which it revolves once in 164 human years, and so far off that, if we could start for it to-morrow, at the rate of 60 miles a minute, it would take a great number of our years to get near it. But there is harmony in the arrangement and economies of the universe still more striking,

which human patience and science have yet to discover, when possibly the distances and diameter as now understood will have to be modified here, or enlarged there, according to the developments of persistent watchfulness, and new discoveries of intelligent, painstaking man.

Upon another point where I left an opening in my February Talk, I will say that it was not my intention to speak of asteroids in a general way, but rather only to allude to those mentioned, to demonstrate the great universal truth of a planetary life and death of worlds, illustrative of the life and death and procreation of universal beings in the same way, or upon a similar plan of change from lower to higher standards of created responsible life. But to indulge myself and Readers just a few moments, Mr. Editor, I will say that we exist in a celestial globe containing not less than eighty constellations, having from 3 to 113 stars among which over 300 asteroids are known to our map-makers of the stellar heavens, while thousands have yet to be discovered in and out of the Milky Way. If you asked me what they are, I would unhesitatingly reply; "The germs of worlds like our own, passing from early to later stages of stability in creation;" and, though time and space permitted me to allude to only four in my February Talk, there are twentyseven belonging to that same group alone, named thus: Flora, Clio, Vesta, Iris, Metis, Eunomia, Psyche, Thetis, Melpomene, Fortuna, Massalia, Lutetia, Calliope, Thalia, Hebe, Parthenope, Irene, Egeria, Astræa, Juno, Ceres, Pallas, and Hygeia, and four others which have yet to be given appropriate names and distances. I believe that just as the telescope added much to human knowledge, so there is still a human invention yet to be developed which will carry us immensely forward to the acquisition of grander, self-revealing universal truths.

Yours truly.

J. V. TAYLOR.

THE IDEA OF GOD.

THE advance of a people's civilization may be known by its generally received idea of God. In heathen nations where idolatry, or the worship of idols, forms the basis of religious thought, the undeveloped idea of God is accompanied by an undeveloped civilization. In nations entertaining a higher and better idea of God we find a higher grade of civilization. A nation strives to attain its ideal, and the higher the ideal the better will be its civilization. As it is with nations, so is it with the individuals who form the nation. The higher, purer, and better a man's idea of God is, the better and nobler will be the man, because it is the nature of man to strive to realize his ideals.

If a man superstitiously worship a stone image or a book, (there are many book-worshipers) he will continue in ignorance. His moral nature will be a reflection of the attributes he ascribes to his God. If a man's idea of God is that of a harsh, wrathful being ever on the watch for chances to injure his children, it will be found that he is either hard and harsh in his moral nature, or that his idea of God is the result of ignorant superstition and fear. On the other hand, a man whose inmost idea of God is that of a Being of infinite LOVE, will be found to be of a lovable disposition, one who is ever ready to help his feebler brethren. Such an one was Jesus the Christ, and the Christ-idea of God was that "God is love." This

is the highest, purest, and best idea of God ever given to mankind. If men and women to-day would attain to great spiritual power let them form a high and pure idea of God, and then try to realize their ideal in themselves, and thus attempt to carry out the command of the Christ, “ Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."

A man cannot be better than his own highest ideals, and the highest idea a man entertains is that of his God, be that idea high or low. The man whose idea of God is that of a Being who is the creator and substance of all things, who is his only life; a Being of infinite power and infinite love, draws to himself great spiritual power, because his exalted idea of God gives him access to the source of all power. The man does not change God, who is unchangeable, but he changes his own thoughts and ideas of God from lower to higher, and the more he comes into harmony with the perfect God-idea, and becomes at one with the Maker of all, the more he is enabled to gain himself and give others that supreme spiritual power which is free to every man, woman and child, as soon as each is prepared to receive. And we may prepare to receive this power by raising our thoughts to higher and purer ideals of God, and striving to realize them. CHAS. W. CLOSE, Ph. D.

FRIENDS OF TRUTH.

THE Esoteric Publishing Company has been conscientiously seeking to place upon a sure and safe foundation a great and unselfish enterprise. The management of the Company has stood faithfully at its post of duty through periods of adverse influences in the way of scandals, false reports, etc., ad nauseam. In ali ways the welfare of the Movement has been studied, but in spite of the fact that hundreds, yes thousands from the Atlantic to the Pacific are receiving inestimable benefits from our works, yet our endeavors from the first have been curtailed, and our good intentions rendered in a degree inefficient from want of active financial support.

How gladly we would make this a literal work of love, without a thought of the money element being in any way connected with it, we cannot find words to make you comprehend. But, as explained so often, we cannot pursue our work unless pecuniary, as well as sympathetic support is forthcoming.

What will you do to aid a Movement in which you feel a deep interest? Are you wavering as to your ability to help us? There are many ways in which you may assist us.

Your first duty is to see that your subscription account is balanced, and one year in advance paid for.

Our subscription list shows a surprisingly large number of delinquent subscribers, and we are seriously burdened by this thoughtlessness on the part of those who are receiving benefits which no other magazine even attempts to impart.

Examine the financial status of any periodical devoted to the interests of "trash" and you will find it sound, and its patrons numbered by many thousands.

Turn this fact carefully over in your mind and decide once and for all as to whether you care to lend your hearty influence toward the support of a Magazine, the sole purpose of which is the dissemination of knowledge and the upliftment of humanity.

In this issue of THE ESOTERIC we enclose a notice to all in arrears. If a prompt response is received, and an advance subscription paid for, a solution to our present hindrances will be found.

There is a lukewarmness even among the honest friends of this Movement. You are unconscious of the grand inheritance which may be yours if you are faithful, and faithfulness, is not in our opinion, a passive, quiet acceptance of principles, even though you are individually true to the cause. You must labor in other ways to make the Work a success.

Much of this half-hearted interest is perhaps caused by the idea having taken hold that the College when built will furnish a harmonious retreat, a desirable, insulated stronghold where the attainments, and soulgrowth may rapidly develop.

True, and heaven grant that the idea may speedily culminate! But during the interim what? Have you a right, if a mere idler in the Movement, to expect to share the same advantages as those who labor for the Cause? Would such a course be just? Will you fold your hands and wait? Will you waste valuable time in anticipation? Remember, that although the College may give all that is promised, yet after all, "THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS WITHIN YOU," and, although you are perpetually furnished new and better environments, still the problem of getting yourself right must be answered in full.

We offer you now, at your very hearth-stone, the means of creating your heaven. Are you ready for it, or are you still unprepared?

If ready, and willing to work for the present, cease narrowing your sphere of usefulness by lying still in anticipation, and commence from this moment an active, continued service in the line which an enlightened conscience will dictate.

We must have better financial support, or many important fields of work will be abandoned for the present. Now, we ask you to take this to yourself as a personal matter. Try a little work in the missionary line. Talk our principles to those friends who have scarcely heard of anything but selfish pursuit of purely worldly affairs. Ask them to take our Magazine. Explain our object in creating Branches throughout the land. Show them the benefits within their reach when they become members.* Send for copies of "Preliminary Instructions," (15 cents), giving outline particulars of Branch Work, and distribute the same where they will be appreciated.

Donations and sale of stock may also be secured from those whose position amply justifies their aiding a praiseworthy enterprise. There are hundreds of men and women to-day who would gladly contribute to such a noble work, were attention but called to it, and our methods explained. The way is clear to you. Will you prove to us the value of

your patronage and help?

*To all those who may desire to aid us, but who may lack the means to do so financially, we would say a way will be opened for your work if you will but write to us signifying your willingness to become an active member of our Movement. Directions will be sent you upon such application.

THE spiritual leaders of the world are all calling the masses in different directions. They cannot all be right. The markets too are full of books expounding theories which, while a few of them may contain some truth, and perhaps aim, blunderbus-like, at a great principle, are yet so mixed, so cloyed with grossest error that it would require more genius to safely apply them than to invent a dozen new and better systems. In such a condition of affairs it would seem as if there were but one method of finding the correct road, and that method the actual, personal, first-hand investigation of Nature's guide-boards of fact. (Ed.)