individual selves in about the same proportion. But we have really no conception of space or of the thousands of suns and solar systems connected with ours, or of the medium between them. Science has no conception of the nature and origin of the electric force, and knows absolutely nothing of the magnetic force, the part that it plays in Nature, or the influence it has in this world of ours. The world has little conception of matter except in its grossest expression. It knows nothing of solar space. It has not developed sufficiently to comprehend that the Universe is material, and that the different planes are similar, except in density. The race has not yet developed sufficiently to understand what life is, or the source from whence this atom that develops self has come. Nor do we yet appreciate or understand the duties and responsibilities that rest upon the individual, and his relation to society and to himself. Certain elementary propositions have been enunciated and demonstrated, and many so-called great minds say that beyond them we cannot go. Life force is as much of a mystery to science to-day as it was before the Christian era.

The primary propositions which must be understood are these: the earth is one of many creative planets; progress has only commenced; nothing in

this physical world has or will reach perfection; all present knowledge is elementary; there are no limitations; life is eternal and will continue to develop, expand, and increase through the untold ages yet to come beyond man's comprehension of time. Our beginning we cannot know with our present development; knowledge of our end is equally impossible, but the present is ours.

H

CHAPTER XI

SO LITTLE CHANGE

OW can people be dead and not know it?
This was the most difficult proposition
that was ever presented to me.
All or-

thodox teaching has been such that it is difficult for any one to comprehend the natural conditions about them. In my first years of this most interesting research, I talked with many who did not know that they had left the earth-life at all. Why did they not know that they had left the physical body?

Let me give a stenographic account of our work on the evening of May 10, 1897, illustrative of the point referred to and reported by Miss Gertrude Spaulding, now secretary to one of the United States senators from Minnesota.

The spirit controlling our work said: "Tonight, we must bring into your presence a necessity, bring one who needs help more than you need words of instruction. In this regular work, do not

change conditions; if you want to invite strangers,

A strange spirit voice said:

Q. I am interested to know what you are doing here. I don't want that woman sitting there to take down what I say.

A. She is not here to take down your confession, if you make one. The work we are doing is of sufficient importance to be taken stenographically; that is what the stenographer is here for. Well, sir, how can we serve you?

"I don't want you to call me 'friend,' but as I am here, I will present a business proposition. You like money, don't you? I suppose the rest of you like money too. It does lots of things."

Q. Have you a speculation that you want us to join in?

A. I have a certain block of stock I want to sell.

Q. What kind of stock?

A. Mining stock. It is mining stock.

Q. Is that the most important thing in your mind?

A. That's the most important.

Q. Why do you wish to sell it?

A. I have a good reason, but I don't say very much about it to strangers.

Q. How did you get it?

A. Never mind that. I have it and want to sell it.

Q. How long have you had that stock for sale? A. I have had it for about five years. Have not sold it because everybody seems afraid of it.

Q. Now, hasn't it occurred to you that if you have not sold it, there is something about that stock that isn't right?

A. I know all about that stock. Are you afraid of it?

Q. No, I am not afraid of it. You have offered it very cheap, I suppose?

A. Not so very. I don't believe in cheap stocks.

Q. You have traveled?

A.

Traveled?

Traveled from one end of the earth to the other. I have even been to Europe.

Q. Now, does it not seem strange to you that you have traveled so far and not sold your stock?

A. I'll tell you. It is strange to me because everybody that I have offered it to, has turned away after looking at it. People think I am a little "off."

Q. Now, where is your family?

A. You want my wife to sign the papers?