- >NTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH ■■*«:. m MrijbacwdoD rJB i^ AV^JL^ i«< H L* cto #' ?% _ ■f« wym% %_X ~?h*\ B 3i CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. BASED UPON THE PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY AND THE CO-RELATIONS OF NATURE'S ELEMENTS, ENERGIES AND FORCES. BY JPROF. W. M. LOCKWOOD, OF CHICAGO, ILL. > • • • • • • ■•* • • • • • • ' 1902 THE UbHAHY OF CONGRESS, Two Copie* Receivtd DEC 29 1902 Copyright Entry CLASS Cu XXc. N». COPY B. \ V ^V* Copyright, 1902, By W. M. Lockwood, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C. INTRODUCTION. How many are the centuries of time that have rolled away since man first questioned the possibility of "life beyond the grave! " How earnestly he has sought in every avenue of his existence, and his experiences for some token, — some indication that beyond the horizon of the grave there is an after life. Seeing, around him on every hand indications of the continuity of cosmic processes, expressed in formations of rock, whose surface seems to his unskilled vision, to resist nature's elements and forces; noting the seeming perpetuity of mountain range, of seas and oceans, or gazing into the starry vault of azure blue, and sensing within his sensitive soul that these have swung in space for aeons of time, he questions the continuity of human life as an expression of existence, in comparison to these factors of earth and sky. " Why should sentient existence cease/' he queries, " when non-sentient forms defy the ravages of centuries ? " " How can it happen," he asks, " that a soul conscious of its consciousness loses its identity at the grave, while yonder range of mountains whose snow-capped sum- mit seems wrapped in cloud, bears evidence of the forma- tive ages of time?" "Why is it," he pleads, "that the sentient progressive soul of man seems lost to sight, buried in oblivion at the termination of earth existence, while yonder tree, monarch of the forest, whose leaves and branches have been kissed by the sunshine and rain of cen- turies, still swings its great arms defiant to time's ravages ?" " Is consciousness, the knowing attribute of the soul of man, less permanent than the principles of cosmic process that nourished it into being, and supported its earth exist- ence ? " To these pleading interrogations of his soul, the 4 INTRODUCTION. gods are silent. In vain has he questioned the sacred cos- moganies of ancient Egypt, and India, hoping to find in the wisdom of its sages and thinkers some fact in the keep- ing of the Orient, disclosing the identity of human exist- ence in some soul form, beyond the obscuring shadows of the tomb. In vain has be perused the mythological theog- onies of prehistoric ages, as expressed in star worship, in legends of poesy, and traditions of prose: — he finds only in these ancient records, the source from which have sprung all religious fantasy and worship in the history of the world. Here, and here alone is the origin of all Bibles and Sacred Cosmogonies expressed in sentiments of poesy and re- clothed in metaphor and allegory by the genius of a Homeric age, and given to the world as the voice of God to man. What mockery to offer these fables of a pagan age in answer to the earnest inquiry of honest manhood as to future life! How low and superstitious the intellect, that instructs that mystery, miracle and credulity are the prem- ises of such knowledge and the basis of a true inspiration the source of a true revelation! What wonder that nations rise and fall, or that civilizations come and fade away, whose moral ethics and ideas of the continuity of life are built upon the mysteries of Godliness; and the worship of a being who can be supplicated, coaxed and cajoled, by the selfish mouthing prayers of a dominant priesthood. What wonder that man loses respect for the clerical oligarchs of an age that offer these sensual mythologies as an answer to his pleadings for precise data, and knowledge of life beyond earth existence. No telescope of a Galileo or Newton can sweep the horizon of these dreams of mystery, no crucible of the chemist, no chemical balance of a Lavo- sier, no equation of chemical energies by a Michael Farra- day, no X-ray by a Roentgen, no wireless telegraphy by a Marconi, no meter of etheric energies by a Sir William Thompson, no evidence of the evolution of man from INTRODUCTION. 5 nature's bosom by a Darwin or Huxley, can lend one demonstration of truth to these claims of theology, in the realm which the priest affirms to be the source of true in- spiration. In all of the gleanings of the Orient, from the mytho- logical traditions of Egypt's former greatness, from the relics of the Vedic Aryan race of India, from the speculative theogony of Persia antedating the time of Zoroaster, from the Puranas of Brahmic theosophy, in all the Bibles known to ancient and modern ecclesiasticism, there is no proof of individual existence beyond the physical dis- solution of the mortal organism. In the estatic vision of oracles and sybils, in the inspiration of seer, priest and prophet, can be found additional testimony only to the hope of the world, that life beyond the horizon of earth's experi- ences may be realized after the change called death. But testimony, however voluminous, is not PROOF- The testimony of man, how r ever framed in sentiment, ex- pressed in poetical imagery, in historical legends, or in Bibles and sacred writings, adds only human opinion to a dominant thought of a definite age, and however thoroughly accepted it may be by the concensus of popular opinion, it utterly fails to establish proof of a truth. In vain has the priest in all ages sought to establish a truth upon the accepted, but undemonstrated, opinions of men. He has borrowed from mythology the poetical imagery of its gods and clothed them with anthropomorphic attributes and omnipotence, and set them before the world as objects for psychic worship and invocation, inviting trust in their power to save, and faith in their omniescence. He has borrowed from the same source its fabled hells and heavens, it s demons of revenge and its immaculate Saviours — progeny of adulterous gods wiih sensuous women, thus seeking and making an adulterous act the premise of easy atonement, and the fear of hell the scourge to impress all mankind 6 INTRODUCTION. that he, the priest, had the power and the exclusive right to pilot the soul of man into a life of eternal bliss. Failing in this through some perversity of human nature, he, as an assumed vicegerent of an omnipotent God, sends the soul of man psychically to an ''Eternal perdition," where, in strange opposition to the precept of " Universal love for all mankind," all the gods ever known to the history of time, aid the priest, the demons, and the devils, in heaping pangs of suffering upon the soul of man, in the agonies of hell. What low and vicious fanged ideal is this, to which the muse and the poet have lent their willing support for untold centuries of time, and the civilizations of the world assent to, as the bases of virtue and morality here, and the hope of a life to come! Why is it, we ask, that the data of the biologist, whose sphere of investigation includes some knowledge of the various forms and types of plasmatic and bio-plasmatic life, including man, are set aside as having no value as compared to this theology of mythology, since his gleanings cover a vast field of the greatest importance in the final settlement of this question? Why is it that the physicist, whose labor is to trace the formula and unity of cosmic processes, has not been allowed a hearing in the presenta- tion of his facts bearing upon the eternal co-relations of elements, energies and matter in process of combination and development, whose field of research includes an anal- ysis of Nature's formula of ' 'invisible modes of motion' ' which are operative in all forms and types of growth known to cosmic process, including the co-relation of conscious mental modes of motion to matter, no less than the rela- tion of consciousness to consciousness on every plane of existence? Why is it, we ask, that these inductions of vital importance in all investigations of the relations of conscious life here to possible and probable conscious life INTRODUCTION. 7 beyond the grave, are set aside by this priestly and preten- tious hierarchy, who affirm and insist that man's most val- uable truths come from his faith in miracles, and his wis- dom in the acceptance of mystery as the basis of knowl- edge! This arrogant infidelity is an insult to every college and school of inductive reasoning, and a shameful com- mentary on a civilized age! But science, that great searchlight of truth and error, whose genius dares to penetrate every realm of Nature, and every avenue of human thought, and fearlessly to scan an error, and to disclose, when found, its incongruities and inconsistencies, is wresting from theology and its priests the vagaries upon which they build their purgatories and hells, the saints' asylums and heavens, the revengeful and adulterous gods, and the immaculate conceptions; and dem- onstrates that these low and sensuous concepts had their origin in the mythological astrology of a pre-historic age, and that they are unsupported by any data bearing upon the truth of life in a future state of existence, save that of credulity and the picturing power of the human intellect. Science, aided by the gleanings of natural philosophy, does not rest here. Science is a builder. It never tears down but to build a more perfect and practical structure. It gladly accepts the gleanings of the naturalist, the geolo- gist, the astronomer, the biologist and the physicist, and carefully rearranges and compiles their vast accumulations of cosmic data into treatise, Nature's own testimonies of THE ETERNAL CO-RELATIONS OF HER ELEMENTS AND EN- ERGIES, as found in rock structure and strata formation, as witnessed in the dynamical relation of stellar space, as noted in the co-related ganglia of bio-plasmatic life, and seen in the structural tissues of plants, and shrubs and trees. Infinite testimonies of the eternal partnership of elements in the evolution of cosmic forms, and the co-rela- tion of genera, of types and species of life. Co-relation 8 INTRODUCTION. also in the different spheres of existences, uniting types and species to their own kind, and sentient consciousness to sentient consciousness throughout the domain of time. From pillar to dome, throughout the vast evolutions of infinitude, co-relation expressed in the natural affinity of elements is the subtle link that binds into cosmic unity all processes of time and space from the evolution of simple to complex forms, or the throb of a soul's consciousness, re- flected upon other souls, whether in seen or unseen forms. Here the naturalist, the astronomer, the geologist, the biologist and the physicist are clasping hands. Here at last we stand upon a solid foundation of cosmic truths, and here in the following chapters of this work we hope to be able to demonstrate that the data of the * 'Co-relation of Nature's Forces" comprise and promote not only the pro- cesses and formula of the evolution of the visible universe, but its lines of cosmic association extend into realms in- visible, where disembodied consciousness is in close relation with the mortal plane, and that this fact is susceptible of scientific verification, hence, is A cosmic truth. THE NATURE OF HYPOTHESIS. As indicated in our introductory chapter, we shall establish the truth of life beyond the dissolution of the physical body in accordance with the accepted hypothesis of the " eternal co-relations of nature's elements, energies and forces ;" and by a careful analysis of the principles of cosmic evolution review popular errors regarding the re- lation of phenomena to causation, as expressed in visible nature. Accepting largely the demonstrated hypotheses and views of the scientific school of thought, it may be well if at the outset we amplify the term " hypothesis," in order that the reader may have a thorough understanding of the difference between a verified hypothesis, or one capable of verification, and the assumptive hypothesis that eludes proof. Lexicographers agree that the term implies " a propo- sition or principle which is supposed, or taken for granted, in order to draw a conclusion or inference for proof of the point in question. ,, . . . "A system or theory imag- ined or assumed to account for what is not understood." To this general definition we may add that its use implies the employment of letters, characters, symbols and figures, for the sake of transferring precise and definite thought from one person to another. This formula being self-evident, it follows that the letters, figures and symbols of any written language are " assumed symbols " employed as hypotheses of written speech for the mental communication of the human race. Hence it will be seen that language itself, oral or written, comprises a vast system of hypothetical in- ferences. In this connection also we must include mathematics, 9 IO CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. which, as a system of numerical notation, reckoning and computation, employs figures Roman, and Arabic, letters of the alphabet, symbols and signs, all and each being •< as- sumed" hypothetical characters employed to carry on a mental process in mathematical calculations, relating to civil engineering, commercial exchanges and social interests and equities. It must be borne in mind that the use of these symbols of written and oral speech, together with those of mathematics, are accepted hypotheses, which in connection with the accepted meaning of the words of various languages, are fundamental in all processes of human knowledge, based upon the correct use of words and languages in methods of reason and progressive research. Upon this basis of accepted hypotheses and symbols of written language, science arranges and formulates her postulates, and all of those that can stand the test of in- ductive demonstration she accepts; while all those that elude demonstration, she classifies as assumptive and un- tenable. This review of the basis upon which human language is hypothecated, will, we trust, enable our readers to see the common-sense ground upon which correct sys- tems of reasoning and scientific demonstrations are estab- lished, and the necessity for a general agreement upon the meaning of words in all matters of individual or universal interest, when a variety of opinions and beliefs obtain, but where truth is earnestly desired by all. Thus it will be seen that if we desire to establish a truth regarding any phenomena of nature, or any tenable conclusion as to what causes the phenomena of cosmos, we must make our re- search within the pale of natural philosophy and cosmic process, where all true phenomena are expressed and have their origin. To leave this domain of the known and knowable, and make research in the realms of the unknown and unknowable, — the realm of the supernatural and su- perstitious, is to ignore and subvert the right use of CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC. TRUTH II accepted and verified hypotheses of language, by intro- ducing it into the realm of thought impossible of demon- stration and beyond the limits of natural and logical verifi- cation. This realm of impossible verification, unfortunately for civilizations and all mankind, has been the home of theology in all ages of the world. This realm has given birth to all of the gods known to the page of time, and in it theologies have been born, and the final destiny of man claimed to have been established. This is the sphere where sensuous and perverted mentality employing the language and symbols of speech of a natural world, builds its propa- gandisms of superstition in an unnatural mental realm, where its low-browed morality, and fetish of " Creation," the fall of man," and "vicarious atonement," are still taught as the true foundation of a civilized government, and the future welfare of mankind. SOME FACTS IN THE LOGIC OF NATURE. In distinct opposition to the formulas and platitudes of theology, science builds her intellectual structures upon known and demonstrative data. As beacon lights to guide her in search of truth, she establishes logical and self-evi- dent postulates upon which to rear her facts. She affirms that NATURE IS INFINITUDE AND COSMIC PROCESSES ARE IN- FINITE. She reasons that nature could not comprise infin- itude, without the elements, energies, forces and modes of motion qualifying the universe are included; and that cos- mic processes could not be infinite, without these processes and their co-relations were involved in infinitude. Hence, there could be no beginning to infinitude — to that which has eternally existed, no " first cause," no creator or designer of cosmic formula. She reasons that if there were a de- signer in cosmic processes, then all of the evils affecting society or the individual, all pestilence and disease, all 12 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. deformities and disasters on sea or land, are a part of the design, since all these phenomena occur in nature, and are a part of cosmic process. She also suggests that if there were such designer, then demons, devils and endless agony for the " great unwashed," are a part of such design, if the claims of theology are true, since, * 'nothing exists apart from design. " In contradistinction to these pernicious platitudes, science affirms that the various elements of nature possess within themselves, all of the factors and functions of causa- tion; that each element contains an invisible molecular energy, which is the life principle of such element, that it is automatic, and it is capable of combining with other ele- ments upon a plane of polar affinity, in the promotion of higher form and functions; and that these attributes of elemental forces are generic in the evolution of matter in its various forms, and of life in all of its amplifications. These data being amplified on every hand, it follows that there can be no such thing as "Law" applied to Nature's reactions and combining processes. In witnessing the phe- nomenon of a common balance, we note no such possibility as "chance," as expressed in this equation, nor is it a manifestation of " Law in Nature." There being as many molecules of matter containing specific gravity on one side of the fulcrum as on the other, an equipoise or equation is produced. This equilibrium is not the result of chance, but of eternal principle. The term "Law" is from the Latin "Lex, — legis — and implies a lawmaker or a com- mander. No such concept can be applied to a balance. The expression of the balance is automatic, self-acting, therefore is a principle. The pitch of a sound is automatic, being the result of a definite number of vibrations. This is not chance, but a principle of sound as a mode of motion. Chemical combinations are automatic, depending upon principles of polar affinity in all combining processes. CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 3 Thus, it takes eighty-eight and nine-tenths parts of oxygen by weight, and eleven and one-tenth part of hydro- gen by weight to evolve water. When these gases are quickened into molecular activity by the action of an elec- trical current, the action of the oxygen gas upon the hydro- gen is such as to change the polarity of the hydrogen, and the reaction of the hydrogen gas upon the oxygen is such as to' change the polarity of the oxygen. This mutual and reciprocal change of polarities evokes a new order of rela- tionship in the combining molecules of these two gases, in- ducing the phenomenon of water. This polar action and reaction of these two gases upon each other comprise the principles of "The Chemical Balance," the "Balance" consisting of mutual polar action and reaction. Now, the expression of this phenomenon of water evolution is not chance, since it required the addition of one-tenth of a part of the hydrogen gas to the other eleven parts before this phenomenon could be evolved. Neither is this phenomenon the result of "law" since the combining proportions de- pend upon a mathematical principle which is automatic, self-existent, and eternal. Not a drop of water, per se y has been evolved, or ever will be evolved, that does not depend upon the mathematics of the combining elements of which water is composed. All chemical equations depend upon the automatic action and reaction of polarized ele- ments in process of combining. This eternal principle of polar proportions noted by every intelligent physicist and chemist of the civilized world, has given rise to the term "Chemical Equations," and all chemical equations are based upon mathematics, and mathematics as a principle of numerical notation is self -existent. Twice two are four; this equation can neither be made or unmade. Hence, there is no such thing as chance in the order and formula of Na- ture. All phenomena of whatsoever character is induced and evoked by natural causes, for all cosmic processes are controlled by the co-related principles of infinitude. 14 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. , THE NATURE AND ORGANIZATION OF MATTER. The world's great thinkers and philosophers have in all ages held divergent opinions as to the nature, character and structure of matter, each varying according to the school or bias of the time in which he was instructed. The student who closely scans the page of history from the time of Anaxagorus of the Ionian school of philosophy, until the time of Descartes of the 16th century, will have occasion to note the various opinions of earnest thinkers, as found in the systems of Democrites, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and Spinoza, each seeming to be biased by some precon- ceived opinion of causation, and arriving at different con- clusions. This great variety and diversity of opinion is also a marked feature since the time of Descartes; as seen in the speculations of Hume, Locke, Kant, Fichte, Hum- boldt and Huxley, and a great number of equally scholarly thinkers. It is not our intention to present here a sum- mary of the opinions reached by these thinkers of the past regarding their individual concepts of the primordial ener- gies and elements of Nature, since an investigation of their methods of reasoning and sequences of thought can be found in most of our public libraries, which are within the reach of all. But we believe that the careful reader will find basic thought in the concepts of Anaxogorus and Dem- ocritus, which in connection with the discoveries and data of modern investigation, will go far toward the establish- ment of truths capable of scientific demonstration; some phases of which have been noted and pointed out by many of the savants referred to. Like the modern watch, the perfection of which does not belong to any single individ- ual, but is the result of consecutive improvements since the time of the first watch, so, the discovery of the truths re- CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. I 5 garding matter, its functions and co-relations, are an evo- lution from the time of the eminent philosophers of An- cient Greece until the present. Let us look briefly, but carefully, at the central theories of these two great minds. Anaxagorus affirmed that all bodies are simply aggregations of atoms, and that a bar of gold or iron or copper was composed of inconceivably minute particles of the same material; but he did not allow that objects had taken their shape through accident or blind fate, but through the agency of a shaping spirit or "Nous," which he described as "infin- ite, self-potent, and unmixed with anything else." This system of thought makes matter or atoms qualita- tive, and it was opposed by Democritus, who, although holding to the atomic theory, affirmed "that all atoms were eternally possessed of a primary motion, and that the vary- ing or quantitative relation of these promotes the basis or groundwork of nature." It may be well for us to note here that centuries before the time of these philosophers, the ancient alchemist of Greece divided matter into four forms and conditions, viz. — solids, fluids, gases, and spiritual substances, the spiritual substances having reference to the active life principle of atoms or things. The various elements of nature of which science now claims seventy-two in number, were not known in their present order to the ancient alchemist, or to Anax- agorus and Democritus. With this fact in mind, we shall be able to see ( that the " Nous " or "shaping spirit," of Anaxagorus, "the primary motion" "possessed by all atoms " in the system of thought of Democritus, bears a close resemblance to the concept of "the life principles of atoms," of the more ancient alchemist, which he called spirit. It should be known that "the atomic theory," did not originate with Democritus or Anaxagorus, but is found as a concept of matter in the early traditions of Egypt, antedating the time of Anaxagorus by thousands of years. 1 6 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. Let us amplify the diverging thought of these ancient think- ers and experimentalists, and see in what particular there is agreement. Anaxagorus claimed that his "Nous" was an universal spirit of homogenous character, possessing all knowledge h tid power, and was the shaping energy or formative force, promoting the various forms and types of life, molding all atoms of matter into form and energizing every expression of existence. This view is largely that of the modern theo- logian. The more ancient alchemist claimed that "every atom of matter of whatsoever kind possessed an active life principle of its own;" which he denominated "spirit," while Democritus claimed that "all atoms possess a primary motion;" hence every different type of an atom had a motion of its own. It is quite evident from these facts that the concepts of the ancient alchemist and that of Democritus were essentially the same, while the thought of Anaxagorus differed in that his "Nous" was an omnipo- tent universal spirit, which permeated all forms of matter. It will be noticed in this connection that Anaxagorus did not attempt to account for the origin of matter per se, but assumed that it eternally had existed, while the alchemist and Democritus affirmed spiritual forces or motion to com- prise the base of the organization of matter. At the time these discussions were taking place, the principles of the eternal polarity of elements comprising matter, and the molecular affinity of substances based upon polarity were not known; neither were the principles of the definite proportions of elements entering into combination, known. Hence, when Democritus affirmed that a definite quantity of atoms of various kinds was the basis of organization in Nature, he must have had a deep intuition of what has since been discovered with some modification to be a fact. Let us point out these modifications. It has been conceded by CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 7 all thinkers for many ages that we live in a world of phe- nomena, — that what we see in looking at the visible world is one thing, whereas the energies that promote these phe- nomena, are something entirely different. Science, whose sphere of effort is to trace the unknown through the phe- nomena of the known, here steps in and affirms that the continuous change of the external of things as is witnessed in the phenomena of growth and development of all forms and types of organic life, indicates an internal, invisible life energy which as the actuating formative principle, is the real thing which is being evolved, while what we see — the external — is only the changing phenomenon of appear- ance, promoted by this invisible life force. Thus in the oak, we witness the continuous change and development of its external appearance through a century of time; yet it maintains its individuality of species through all of the years of cosmic process. The individuality of form, and type and species is maintained in defiance of the cosmic principle and chemical postulate that, "the natural tendency of all of the elements of Nature is to promote the development and evolu- tion of something entirely unlike each factor. " We witness the verification of this postulate in the evolution of water. Composed of oxygen and hydrogen, the product is water, which is unlike either factor. Should we mix salt to water, we again verify this axiom of chemical combination. With this tendency operative, in every element to change the character, form and individuality of physical structures, there could grow no oaks, there would be no rock forma- tions of different variety, no vegetation, no flowers or fruit- age, were it not for some inborn formative or shaping prin- ciple, that holds and perpetuates the form, safe from the encroachments of those changes incident to the reactions of chemical combination. Hence, science argues that the tree we see, is only the phenomenal result of an invisible shaping soul principle, which is the real tree life, that 1 8 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. natter e evolves. With these data manifest in all cosmic processes of evolution, science affirms that it is this "invisi- ble, active life principle of the atom," this "primary motion of atoms" as voiced by Democritus, this ' 'shaping spirit" or "Nous" of Anaxagorus, divested of the fetish of "its knowledge of all things/' but clothed with the omnipotence of molecular function, which lies behind and promotes cos- mic process and develops every form and type of life known to infinitude. Therefore it will be seen that we are deal- ing with the invisible life principle of atoms, and not with atoms per se % in the evolution of organic life. This fact has been continuously overlooked by writers upon the atomic theory since the time of its inception, and the oversight has led to continuous error, regarding the basis and formula of organic structure for the reason that we cannot consistently apply the term "atom," to the life principle of an atom. Life principles of all forms of atoms, will be best under- stood as magnetic energies, which are comprehended by the term "volume." Thus the life principle of an atom of salt, is a definite volume of energy of magnetic character, representing the life activity of salt as a compound. The life principle of an atom of chlorine, is a different form of life from that of salt, but it is an energy of magnetic char- acter, and is a definite volume, representing the life activi- ties of chlorine per se. Each element of nature has a dif- ferent life principle, from the other elements, and is vested with certain primary motions of polar affinity, which ren- der it capable of entering into combination with other ele- ments in the promotion of form. But it must constantly be borne in mind that it is not the atoms of these elements that combine, but their active life principles, of which the atom is a corpuscular structure and ideal. Hence, definite volumes of the molecular life of elements, are the real com- bining energies, and the variation of this molecular life of the elements of nature in their various combining relations, CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 9 evokes form, and function and sensation and consciousness ; requiring the ladder of time and the co-related associations of the infinite laboratory of cosmos to carry on this evolution. When we understand that the principles of the molecular life energy of the elements of nature were not known in the time of the great savans of Greece alluded to, that only a few of the elements were known, that the polarity of all forms of matter was not comprehended, and that the combining proportions of elements were also unknown, it will be seen that they arrived at conclusions, not so divergent to those entertained in more modern time. The most ancient al- chemist made "spirit" the underlying factor of all simple and complex forms of matter, Anaxagorus made "Nous" or spirit the shaping and functioning force, and Democritus admitted "a primary motion of its own," to each atom of matter. The discovery of the divergent principles of polarity expressed in the combining proportions of elements functioning all forms of matter, evoking sensation and con- sciousness, dispels the concept of Anaxagorus that "Nous" or spirit "was an all-knowing entity," since this concept would make all forms of life "all knowing," as it was in his system of thought the "shaping spirit;" hence, one form of life would possess all or equal knowledge or intelligence with other forms. But the discovery of the different at- tributes of elemental energies, and the varying principle of proportion as is witnessed in the different combinations of matter, will account for divergent function in differentiated organisms, and a knowledge of these data will save the advocates of "an all-wise intelligence," from many a twinge of distrust and disrespect, when they have occasion to note how sparingly it is manifest in human nature. As all forms of matter can be reduced to invisibility, the modern physicist affirms the invisible as the basis of all organization, and in this thought he comes in touch with the ancient alchemist, with Anaxagorus so far as it relates 20 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. to "Nous" as a shaping energy, with Democritus in his theory of "a primary motion of its own" for each atom of matter, and with other eminent thinkers and philosophers. But what gives strength to the modern hypothesis of mat- ter, is, that it is susceptible of scientific proof. With this demonstrable scientific premise then, we shall be able to postulate INVISIBLE SPIRITUAL ELEMENTS AND ENERGIES. THE BASIS OF COSMIC EVOLUTION. It should be understood in this connection that we do not use the terms ' 'spiritual elements," and "spiritual forces" in any sense as implying deific attributes, or relating to a God; but simply as a term expressive of the invisible fundamental substances from which matter is evolved. Hence, matter in any form is an evolution of spiritual elements by virtue of combing processes, or, in other words, the result of the combination of spiritual elements. Thus water is matter in fluid form, while the life principle — the active principle of oxygen, and hydrogen gases which in certain definite combination evoke water, are in their primary essences spiritual substances. This view makes matter appear to be infinitely spiritual, since all cosmic process is the result of invisible spiritual elements function- ing into form and expression, the varied characteristics of matter in all of its organic types, and life in an infinite octave of expression. But a large element of the popular mind of theological bias interpose the criticism, that this view of Nature and cosmic process is strongly materialistic, since it ascribes to matter the potency of promoting form and life, and ignores the overruling power of a God. This short-sighted criticism is strangely inconsistent, and reveals the materialistic tendencies and theological insincerity of those who employ it. When science discovered the func- CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 21 tioning power of certain soils suited to the development of special cereals in agricultural processes, when astronomers discovered that certain planetary conjunctions and corre- lations promote the functioning of the spring solstice or vernal equinox — the summer's showers and heat, the au- tumnal frost and sear, and the winter's snows and rains and storms, when the meteorologist discovered the functioning energy of cold and warm waves of heat upon the atmos- pheres of space, intensified into activity by the close con- junction of associated planets, and was enabled to forecast the rains, storms and cyclones incident to the season; when the pathologist discovered through the phenomenon of dis- ease the functioning energy of certain remedial, chemical agencies to modify and assauge a disease; when the phy- siologist discovered the presence of carbonic acid in the glands of assimilation, and that this presence of carbonic acid was due to a condition of the blood in circulation, thereby changing the function of the gland and pro- moting its atrophy, as is witnessed in advanced human life,, and in brief wherever any phenomenon of Nature's reac- tions have occurred, these same critics have been loud in affirming that "God operates through established laws in which there is no shadow of turning." Now, when we affirm that this functioning tendency and power of Nature's elements control all cosmic process, and that Nature's ele- mental forces are infinitely spiritual, this cry of "material- ism " is voiced from every theologically inclined mind. Our reply to all of this element is, that if your criticism be justly applied, then you worship at the shrine of a most short-sighted and inconsistent God, who, if he made the uni- verse and functioned it with "unchanging and immutable law, " should, in the material expressions and manifestations of his law, inadvertently have become the author of ma- terialism. Most wonderful and inconsistent God, to func- tion all cosmic process with "invariable law, " and allow 22 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. man's soul and mental nature to be wrecked on the shores of immortality for the lack of the wisdom of his antecedents. But more than all else, he was a most short-sighted God, not to have foreseen that if lie delegated to matter the func- tioning power of his "immutable law" he, personally, in- dividually and collectively, would cease to be an ' 'over- ruling power,"— HE COULD NO LONGER POSE AS GOD, after lie transmitted this power by the functioning of matter, as is witnessed in cosmic process. What a gro- tesque, pagan platitude is this of a God, incarnating him- self by immutable law, and becoming the author of mate- rialism! What fetish of the Orient and its Gods, upon which the modern theologian seeks to clothe in garments of consciousness the correlated forces of infinitude, as an object of prayer and worshipful adoration! But history will yet write on the page of coming time, that all of these gods of an inconsistent and short-sighted intellect, together with the superstitious and mystery-worshiping idealists of the age that gave them birth, have receded from view before the penetrating rays of the search-light of scientific truth. THE PHILOSOPHY OF MOLECULAR CO-RE- LATIONS, BASED UPON THE POLARITY OF MATTER AND ITS ELEMENTS In the preceding chapter we postulated a spiritual uni- verse, in which the elements now known or named as well as all those that may be discovered have a base of invisi- bility, and that the life principle — the active energizing force is a spiritual entity qualifying each element with a special functioning power. We also stated that a principle of polar affinity, divergent in each, belonged to, and quali- fied each element with certain attractive attributes; ren- CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 27, dering it capable of entering into combination with other elements and with other matter, thus promoting the vast phenomena of the visible world. This view of matter, spiritualizes nature and cosmic process, since spiritual ele- ments in combination promote matter and form, and all of the changing phenomena of infinitude. Not a blade of grass ever developed, not a leaf or flower, not a single type of existence, but it was the result of the special functions and energies of thes.e spiritual elements entering into, and promoting the various physical changes during its individual development. No mortal knows what these elements are. It is true that they have been named; some of them for supposed attributes, like oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, etc., but the most of them have been named, simply to designate their association with the combination of matter in which they were first discovered, or to specify their indi- viduality. The chemist and physicist have discovered something of their characteristics and functional tendency, by their action and reaction in combining processes. He has noted their tendency to combine in the promotion of solids of rock and stone, he finds them in metals, in wood fiber of all kinds and in fluids and gases. He finds also that in their respective sphere of combining, they seem to be clothed with omnipotence. They are a part of the air we breathe, of the fluids we drink, and comprise the structure of the foods that sustain the physical process of the soul's evolution — the active life principle of man. Yet, we are as ignorant to-day as to what they really are, as when primi- tive man first questioned his relation to his environment. 'Tis true that we know to-day that the oxygen we breathe sustains the continuous pulsations of the heart, aids in the digestion of foods, accelerates the circulation of the blood, and performs a similar service for all animal life, yet, What is it ? It enters also into the organization of all vege- table and plasmatic life- — still, when its polarities are dis- 24 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. turbed by heat, or other electro-magnetic changes in the atmosphere we breathe, human life trembles in the balance of opposing forces. What is the relation that this element holds to the soul of man during the years of his earth life ? If the soul is the animating life principle of man and is a spiritual entity, how can oxygen sustain the vital process of this spiritual entity, how co-related to it, unless the life principle of this element is also spiritual in its essence ? How can foods sustain the various physical expressions and development of the soul, unless the food is composed of spiritual substances ? How could the soul of man vivify every part and fiber of the human organism, unless that organism had been structured and moulded by spiritual forces, and sustained by spiritual elements ? How can there be co-relation between things of unlike nature ? How can there be affinity ? These are very important questions to be settled; for, upon their solution depends the integrity of the very premise of physical science and natural philoso- phy, no less than the knowledge of the final destiny of man. If there be no co-relation between the soul and man's physical organism, how does the soul exist in it as a life energy, and how does consciousness as an attribute of the soul have sensation through the ganglionic system and the sensory process ? If there is no unity of association between the soul and the physical body, how does volition, — the servient attribute of consciousness — operate upon certain motor centers of the brain, and stimulate into action the movement of the arms and limbs, the eyes and the vocal organs of speech ? Now, if this co-relation does not exist between consciousness and the physical organism, the postulates of physiological science are not true ; the theory of conscious sensation, and of the so-called five senses of man have no foundation in fact, and theories of molecular affinity have no foundation in known data. But the great truth that Nature is infinitely spirit- CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 2$ ual in all of her elements and forces whether origin- ally functioned by a God, or, self-existent and dominated by eternal principle, dissipates past errors of human opin- ion, and reduces to easy analysis and comprehension much of the data comprised in her vast laboratory of cosmic process. Spiritual elements enter into and comprise the structure of matter. Therefore, matter in all of its forms is infinitely spiritual. Every form and type of vegetable and plasmatic life has a spiritual origin. All life, whether plasmatic or bio-plasmatic, is sustained by spiritual ele- ments found in atmospheres, fluids and foods. All co-rela- tions in nature are spiritual, and invisible and known to science as "invisible modes of motion"; hence, all relations existing between elements and forms of matter and forms of life, are psychic and molecular. The affinities locking into form a rock, a stone, a metal, a fiber of wood, or a blade of grass, are psychic and molecular. All reactions found in chemical combinations are psychic and molecular. All changes taking place in the animal organism are psychic and molecular; and all impressions upon consciousness through the centers and avenues of sensation, and all im- pressions of consciousness upon its own motary system, or upon the sensory system of other organisms, are of the same character. The universe itself, is a vast combination of psychic forces expressing themselves through the ele- ments of nature, and manifesting their functioning power, their tendency, and their omnipotence in the diverse phe- nomena of infinitude. The psychic character of nature's elemental forces and energies with their inherent molecular attributes, are just beginning to be understood. Let us amplify this truth. 26 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. WHAT THE TERM PSYCHIC MEANS, APPLIED TO NATURE'S REACTIONS. The term "psychic" is from the Greek, and means as a noun, ik a breath " — ki a soul." As an active verb it means "to breathe upon" or " the act of breathing upon" The term "soul," as applied to man, has reference to "the ani- mating life principle," "the immortal substance," "the intellectual understanding of man." As applied to matter it means "the life energy," "the spirit," or "the essence" of the form or type of matter or substance it vivifies and actu- ates. Science calls these invisible life principles of matter and substances "modes of motion," which as a term refers to the especial invisible energy of each element or form of matter and its method of action. Thus, the life principle of nitrogen is its soul, and this soul is psychic in its action upon the elements that it combines with. The life prin- ciple of oxygen is its soul, and it is an invisible psychic energy. The active energy of carbon, is an invisible psychic mode of motion, — a soul of spiritual character. The life principle of any form of matter is the invisible en- ergy that is quickened into expression by the formative processes evoking the form per se y and is an invisible, spir- itual force and entity, psychic in its sphere of action or of being acted upon. Each element of nature possesses an active soul principle, spiritual in its attributes, and psychic in its method of action. The psychic character of nature's principles can be demonstrated by a simple experiment with an electropoise and magnet. (See cut.) Our electropoise for this experiment consists of an Orstedts apparatus with the steel bar or needle poised on the top bar of the mech- anism. If we take our horseshoe magnet and hold the positive pole of the magnet near the positive end of the steel bar, the reactions set up by this combination of posi- tive with positive, drives the bar away from the magnet. CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 27 This action is psychic — an invisible energy seems to breathe upon tlie steel bar, from the magnet, — driving it away in accord with principles of magnetic repulsion. If we hold the positive pole of the magnet near the negative pole of the steel bar or needle, a mutual breathing of selective as- similation obtains, and the bar is drawn towards the mag- net in accord with principles of magnetic attraction. The psychic character of nature's chemical actions and reactions is also noted, as we shall point out on a succeeding page, in the phenomenon of the barometer and atmospheric pres- sure, in the thermometer, the galvanometer, the radiom- eter, the equipoise, and, in brief, in every department of experimental physics and natural philosophy. No action or reaction can take place in nature or cosmic process, that is not induced by psychic co-relations helping to develop the vast phenomena of time. We stated on a former page that 2M psychic action was molecular in its characteristics and forms of expression. In order to make our readers familiar with the application of this term, it will be necessary to demonstrate its mean- ing as applied to modern systems of natural philosophy. WHAT THE TERM "MOLECULE" AND ' ' MOLECULAR " MEAN AS APPLIED TO NATURAL PHYSICS. Formerly the term was understood as meaning "One of the invisible particles supposed (italics ours) to constitute matter of any kind." — Webster, The experiments of Gal- vani in electro-magnetism, discovered an invisible relation existing between particles and atoms of all kinds of matter, and this relation was called by common consent of the world's physicists "molecular." As the atomic theory at that time was the accepted premise of matter, a molecular codicil or theory was supplemented to this atomic theory, based upon this new discovery. In this new associ- 28 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. ation of ideas a molecule of matter was hypothecated to comprise two or more atoms in association or con- junction; and the invisible relation existing between these atoms was called molecular action. A little later on Dr. Kirkland, of England, pointed out the fact that the real energy manifest between two atoms might be the pro- duct of each atom as seemed expressed in their inter-rela- tions; and if this were true, then the term molecule would apply to the invisible energy of a single atom of matter * He did not, it seems, pause to reflect that this invisible en- ergy of a single atom, which he called "a molecule," coin- cided with Democritus' theory of "a primary motion" in- herent in all atoms of matter — and that in reality there was no difference in these opinions save in name. But "old errors die-hard," and the errors of the atomic theory are no exception to the rule. Indeed, we shall be able to prove later on, that the atomic theory became a ne- cessity to the system of Christian theology. Materialistic atoms of "crude, inert and dead matter," for an omnipo- tent God "to mould into form," are a necessity; for the beginning of miracles, — a premise for "design in nature,' and for a designer with omnipotent functioning power. But when we accord to matter and its factors an inher- ent, self-existent, primary motion, and the molecular co-rela- tion of these various energies of elemental life, the function- ing power of these spiritual forces to evoke form and shaping *In the light of all of these discoveries of the invisible molecular attributes of matter, as being the real actuating energy of atoms, it seems incredible that the atomic theory should for so many thousands of years have remained a fundamental postulate iu chemical physics. As the in- visible spiritual life energy of a single atom is the real operative force with which the chemist-physicist has to deal in all of his experi- ments, the term "chunks ofmatter u or *' bushels of matter " would be as consistent an expression as atoms' of matter. The atomic theory will die with ecclesiasticism. The metamorphosis of crude, dead and inert matter into forms of life has been a miracle ascribed to all of the gods known in the calendar of time. CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 29 principles, which heretofore have been ascribed to each and all of the gods known to time, will be found to be an eter- nal, self-existent attribute of elements and matter in cosmic process. Great truths develop on the canvas of thought, to take the place of the fading errors of the present, and so "The Molecular Hypothesis of Nature, " based upon the spirituality of nature's elements, and their electro-polar co-relations in cosmic evolution, will eventually supersede the crumbling and untenable theories of atoms and a ma- terialistic designer. These fallacies are the birthright and fruitage of pagan superstitions. As we are to outline and demonstrate the hypothesis of molecular co-relations of nature's elemental energies, based upon their inherent polarities, it will be necessary to make a clear and concise statement of the data upon which our postulate is to rest. POSTULATE. The active life principle of an element being its soul, it follows that it is a spiritual energy and entity, func- tioned with positive and negative polarity which capacitates it to act or to be acted upon when in combination with otJier elements or forms of matter, hence its affinities are ex- pressed in psychic attraction. This soul principle of an element is invisible to the eye, and manifests its energy in electro-magnetic volumes, therefore is molecular in its ten- dency and form of action. The term ' ' molecule" in this connection is used as a unit of measurement of a volume of energy of any element; a term expressive also of potentiality, quality, character and tension, and is applied either to simple elements or compound forms of matter; also to any energy, form or propulsion that operates through matter. To illustrate what it means as a unit of measurement. A molecule of 3D CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. any compound form of matter is the smallest particle of such matter that contains the exact and precise proportions of the spiritual elements of which the matter is composed. As the spiritual elements comprising matter are not divisi- ble by any process known to chemical physics, we are obliged to resort to spectrum analysis for a thorough com- prehension of the term "molecule" as applied to elemental substances composing matter. It is a well-established fact in spectrum analysis that every element of nature has its special order of color spectra, and that these are as diverg- ent as the vibrations of the different strings of a piano. Hence a molecule of any element is the smallest volume of an element producing the same order of color spectra, found in a larger volume of the same element. With these definitions of a molecule of matter and molecules of elemental substances composing matter before us, let us proceed to point out some peculiar features and attributes qualifying and modifying molecular co-relations. MOLECULAR CO- RELATIONS. The term "molecular co-relations'' has reference to the perpetual partnership of molecules in the evolution of matter and form. Not only is the associated partnership noted in the combination of elemental substances, but the constant continuation of this partnership is found in every cosmic process, simple or complex. From pedestal to dome, nature is a vast laboratory of associated energies, uniting their forces in the development of all that is visible, and much more that is invisible. A single grain of sand may contain the life principle of many molecules of ele- mental substances, requiring ages of time to develop; yet each molecule was drawn to its work when the combination commenced, and still maintains its grip of affinity, with the fidelity of constancy. Nothing but the friction of the at- CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 3 1 mosphere with its chemical influences, the action of the sun's rays and chemical heat, or the constant washings and reactions on the shore of time will ever break up the co- related partnership of the crystallized tiny structure. And when in the process of aeons of time its elements may be liberated, they will be attracted to other forms of matter in process of development or rise to blend with the ethers of space and ready to take a hand in atmospheric reactions. Or they may be carried by a beam of sunlight into the plas- matic cells of a flower to be materialized in the seance chamber of night by a change of its chemical spectrum into an expression of floral character. Molecules of ele- mental substances or molecules of matter are never at rest. Whether found in primordial form, or in associated form, they wield a mighty influence, omnipotent in their sphere of action upon reciprocal nature. Active, energizing, rest- less, their combined activity evokes cataclysmic reactions in the bosom of the earth, tearing rocks from their fastnesses and piling them in confusion mountains high, or arousing by their psychic combination a tornado to sweep in tem- pestuous fury though forest and glade, thundering into awe the denizens of earth. Assuming again a constructive force, in the form of oxygen compounds, nitrogen com- pounds, hydrogen compounds, or ammonial compounds, they function into vigorous action the growth of cereals, plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees of the forest where birds twitter and sing their song of domestic reality, while mole- cules of sunshine kiss into a flutter the sensitive leases of twigs and branches in this great panorama of wood and shade. Molecular action and reaction are omnipotent and omnipresent throughout the vast changes of extended space and endless duration. Here building up their forms of matter into grand equations of cosmic art with the benefi- cence of a Vishnu, or tearing them down with the re- relentless diplomacy of a Siva, that they may build over 32 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. the wreck, other equations of more auspicious character. In order that our readers may understand more fully how this building up and tearing down process is carried on by molecular combination in cosmic process, we will point out some special attributes of molecular association. ALL SPIRITUAL ELEMENTAL SUBSTANCES AND ALL FORMS OF MATTER POSSESS THE ATTRIBUTE OF POLARITY. This truth was not known in the time of the early phi- losophers, and its discovery has had a modifying influence upon the popular mentality of the age, in showing that an inner-ruling principle of nature controlled all formulas of accretion, growth, and development, instead of ik an over-ruling mind. " Formerly the term ' 'adhesion" was em- ployed in physics to indicate the power that holds together heterogeneous substances, and "cohesion" the force that unites homogeneous bodies. These forces were supposed to be separate and distinct energies, or powers, until Fara- day pointed out that all attractions hi nature, and all re- pulsions have their base in principles of polarity. Thus, a sponge will attract out of damp atmosphere moisture, which attraction is due in part to the peculiar structure of the cells of the sponge, inducing specific changes in the circulation of the air, but more precisely the attraction is due to the structural character of the silex itself, of which the sponge is composed, which contains a combination of silicon' with hydrogen, possessing strong polar attractive power for moisture wherever found. But, what is polarity? Polarity is an attribute of nature and matter, by which each form of element and type of matter inherently possesses poles of attraction and repulsion in keeping and accord with the earth's electro-magnetism. As all nature and the earth CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 33 possess this attribute, it zvill be seen to be a logical deduc- tion that every particle of matter and elemental energy com- prising the earth, will manifest the same characteristics. With this inner ruling principle or attribute of elements and matter, dominating, it will be comprehended in a measure, how each factor is capable of acting and of being acted upon in chemical combination. Without polar at- traction there could be no molecular affinities, and without polar repulsion there could be no special formative processes in nature. If matter of any form did not possess polarity, it would in reality be dead, since it could neither act nor be acted upon. Reciprocal polarity is the co-operative part- nership of infinitude, the basis of affinity, and the central truth upon which the infinite co-relation of nature's forces in every realm of motion is established. Let us examine this fact a little more analytically.* Water is composed of oxygen and hydrogen, and its present symbol in chemical physics is H 2 0, which has reference to its combining pro- portions by volumes. Formerly, however, its combining proportions were estimated by what was called "its atomic weights." As the last mentioned formula will better enable us to explain and amplify the principles of polarity in- volved in the evolution of water, we will employ it. It has been found by continuous experiment, that it takes 88 T \ parts of oxygen by weight, and n T V part of hydrogen, to evoke water. We stated on a former page that each element of nature had its own polar characteristics. We see this truth demonstrated in the evolution of water, since we note that it requires just the mathematical proportions *The author frequently refers in his writings to the analysis of water, as it is one of the least complex compounds and more easily un- derstood by the reader, who may never have had opportunity to witness any phenomenon of evolving visible forms of matter from invisible gases or energies. 34 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. enumerated above to induce the phenomenon of water. Hence, we reason that it takes just the polar attributes of 88-^ parts of oxygen to overcome or change the polarity of the ii t V part of hydrogen, and in the reaction of the hy- drogen, it takes just HyV part of this gas to overcome or change the polarity of the oxygen. The polar tension of each element being overcome by this precise weight and proportion of each element, a new order of polarity springs into expression, bringing with it or evolving the phenom- enon of water. The importance of these data must not be overlooked by the reader or investigator, since all equations of action and re-action induced by the polar attributes of matter, and elements, comprise the real character C/) i ^ l/o ^ >f motio s of chei e in Wit s of sens :ape; to and to medium / Lectm < " « C i Q < -J :es an in he ore si vario beaut QC h I Q. es, for< sensed u a ni< gli the siou a •r „ o s* •»* R •- *S be .2 o > o — ^ U *-* I- _ v- -*-» ^ ene fact v 111 ious 53 - | lis rial use "^ O ""K> -i 02 ^ B tn " ^ C — — i ^ g = - elen: ties. y an o use it your ° 3 J U B 5L u 1) +j - and Ii lar affi elegra es you sniits t ur sen: p. Bl lit life olar e po ial t »ress tran o yo dshi spi: ~ z o B* . - .£ ^ 00 « .2 J3 5 .£ b a; c/3 x T ^3 'C •- ."B B b o **-< zz is infin er affin in coi ve n at i raphy, g bran lance c of frie T902. lid wavin aternal g messages August^ * 1 nature e all of 1 sic trutl Object less teleg oc UJ QC \~. 'O cd . %j B £ be C > LJ O U QC O > 5 u z ffirm that •ocal. Ik It is her Telephon nula of Wl the birds >nate and li the lovii Lilly Pa ~ p g u ^ -b o ^ V T - S «P o t; ^ a > O - » QH r-» ~ +" 1 ^^ w "^ - p u C a o « >» co "x ^S t CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 47 plant throws off oxygen and retains its carbon, since from carbonic gas and water many of the vegetable compounds are derived which have a special place and function in the promotion of visibility" 55, and form. Now these materializa- tions of invisible elemental or compound energies selected by the plant from air and soil, this development and growth of plant and shrub, could not take place, the ele- ments and energies would not combine in the plant, without the reciprocal polar co-relations of these forces in cosmic evolution. In common commercial telegraphy, in our telephonic system, in the transmission of electrical energy, in phono- graphic and photographic impressions, and in all chemical combinations we witness the phenomena of nature's co- relations. The phenomenon of The X Ray, suggests the depth and range of this truth; whereby, with a cathodic illumination in a vacuum tube, we are enabled to see into and through opaque matter. Wireless telegraphy affords us a better conception of the subtlety and extent of this eternal principle. An electrical magnetic field is established at Halifax, Nova Scotia, in a wireless Tra7ismitter, and a Receiver precisely tensioned to the same polar resistance is located at Liverpool, England. Upon touching a button which closes the electro circuit of the Transmitter, a bell is rung on the Receiver at Liverpool. This calls the at- tion of the operator at Liverpool. A token of "attention," is rung back to Halifax, when the operator there with a modified form of telegraphic key sends the symbols of tele- graphic language which are accurately registered at Liver- pool by the Receiver. If there were a thousand Receivers tensioned to the same electro resistance, they would have responded to the operator at Halifax, and registered the same symbols. These discoveries in electrical physics, will *See Iyiebig's Agricultural Chemistry. Also Gregory's Organic Chemistry. I48 CONTINUITY OFLIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. afford our reader an opportunity to . trace principles of nature's subtle co-relations in every department of visible cosmic process. But they do not end with visibility. No scientific truth has been more thoroughly established than that of "thought transference." Thought sent by volition (a servient attrib- ute of consciousness), has been as accurately received and registered by people thousands of miles away from the sender of the thought, as any ever sent by any line of tele- graph. There are thousands of testimonies of this general truth. Indeed, the experiences of everyday life attest this rational fact. The human brain in its average normal de- velopment contains a more subtle transmitter and receiver of human thought, than any yet constructed by Marconi or Fessenden. Conscious volition of the motary system, and conscious mental sensibility of the sensory system, are transmitter and receiver in this electro field of conscious- ness. Where two intellects are reciprocally polar to each other either on the physical or intellectual plane, the trans- ference of thought and sensations are common phenomena. The various manifestations of mesmeric psychology depend upon these principles of reciprocal mental polarity and co- relation. It must be borne in mind that all relations in nature are psychic and invisible in whatsoever realm or on whatsoever plane the actions and reactions take place. Hence modern Spiritualism affirms that these principles being true and operative between the invisible and visible in the various processes of cosmic evolution, that they are also operative between visible life on the mortal plane and life beyond the change called death; and furthermore it demonstrates that the psychic phenomena of Spiritualism is an inductive demonstration of this truth; based as they are, upon nature's immutable and eternal principles. If the co-relations of nature's forces are operative in every realm of cosmic process, and th^ mental association CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 49 of the human depends upon this principle of co-relation, why is not its expression between the mortal and spirit life, proof of the continuation of these principles of mental modes of motion. All human communication is carried on by symbols or signs. Written thought is evidence of sym- bol language, ancient or modern. Vocal speech is a com- bination of vocal sounds, so arranged as to express consecu- tive thought. Thought itself is a mental mode of motion y which a reciprocal mentality can be impressed with, and understand. Thought transferrence by any form of telegra- phy is expressed in symbols, signs, or cipher. Thought expressed by vocal speech is a process of mental induction by sounds. Expressed in writing, is mental induction by signs. When expressed by telegraphic symbols, it is mental electro induction by signs. When expressed in acoustic symbols, it is mental electro induction by sound. Thought transferrence is based upon principles of mental electro induction^* The mere articulation of the telegraphic key — its raps — without the symbols or signs belonging to telegraphic communication is the result of an over-sensitive wire or cir- cuit, hence is an expression of electro induction; but when these raps of the key are given in the symbols or signs of telegraphy, it is then known as mental electro induction, because there is a mental process included in the transmis- sion of the message. Spirit raps when given on a table, the back of a chair, or by the use of a key and sounder, in accord with the formula of telegraphic communications, and are manifestations of mental electro induction, because it includes a mental process. Spirit raps, answering to the calling of the letters of the alphabet, spelling out words *In scientific exactness, all thought transferrence is that of mental electro induction, since we depend upon the electro structure and condi- tion of brain fiber and brain cells for normal mental expression, for without these necessary electro states of the brain structure, mental processes become abnormal. I$0 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. and sentences of concise and cogent thought, are also mani- festations of mental electro induction, furthermore, these manifestations are in strict accord with the principles of symbol language. All phenomena of human communication with human, or of spiritual intelligence with the human, are in strict harmony with the universal principles of the co-relation of nature } s forces, and the conservation of her energies, which truth we will more thoroughly amplify in a succeeding chapter. With all the testimony of nature and cosmic process in evidence, it will be seen that modern Spiritualism is entirely unlike the Spirit-Schisms of a mythological age, or the Spiritism of a later and more modern time. Spirit- Schism instructed that only the gods could communicate with the mortal. Spiritism claimed that certain spirits who had attained a degree of miraculous wisdom, by some supernatural agency, could converse with the mortal, but only through those who by some magic called "Theurgia" had reached a plane of mystical unfoldment. Modern Spiritualism demonstrates that the human race is reciprocal to spirit influence and ever has been, although perhaps unmindful of the fact. More than this, modern Spiritualism demonstrates that the human is more or less receptive to all modes of cosmic motion, by impression, and that it is through this receptivity, and in accord with it, that the human acquires knowledge. Spirit-Schism claimed the omnipotence of their own national gods, but denied the omnipotence of the gods of other nations. Spiritism included in this omnipotence those spirits gifted with the power of prophecy and supposed trans- formations. Modern Spiritualism demonstrates that in an infinitude of co-related elements and energies, that any factor of CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. I 5 1 nature, is as omnipotent in its sphere of action, as any god known to the calendar of time. Spirit-Schism taught through the oracle, the dogmatism of the gods. Spiritism sought through the sibyls and psychics, coun- sel from spirits how to govern and control man and nations in the interests of self-aggrandizement and gain. Neither of these systems instructed individual continuity of life and progression. Modern Spiritualism as the philosophy of nature and the soul's progression instructs that nature is democratic and reciprocal, and that as all nature is a vast and infinite expression of associated energies, so mankind should be an association of national brotherhood; co-operative in char- acter, fraternal in sentiment, and progressive. Modern Spiritualism as the philosophy of cosmic evolution demon- strates that continuity of life is nature's free gift to human- ity — and that these immutable principles of the soul's evolution, existed before Bibles were written, before priests and priest-craft came to blight the world and human happi- ness with his insane and impossible system of Spirit- Schisms and necromancy. CO-RELATION AND CORRELATION. In the previous chapter we have submitted the fact, that the proof and basis of Modern Spiritualism from the plane of natural science, inheres in the co-relation of ele- mental factors and forces in cosmic process, and in the con- servation oi energy. As there are two terms, ' 'co-relation, " and ' 'correlation, " in common use with physicists and chem- ists, and as they do not mean or apply to one and the same relation, it will be in order to point out briefly their differ- ent meanings before proceeding with their application. The term ' 'correlation" is the term generally employed by 152 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. physicists in the discussions of the relations of force or energy in cosmic process; and the word means as given by most lexicographers, "That which stands in a reciprocal relation to something else, as father to son, husband to wife, " etc. This definition of the word is altogether too obscure to be relevant in physical or psychical science, since we do not trace "blood relations'" between the various elements of nature or ties of hereditary, or paternal char- acter between oxygen and its combining factors. The term "co-relation" is a compound word consisting of co- and relation, — the two words thus united mean, "relation with/' or more accurately, "corresponding relation." For this reason principally, the author of this book always employs the term co-relation, since he finds that so far as experiment can demonstrate that all forms and types of matter and every expression of energy and force, have polar relations, hence, corresponding relations. Every chemical combination is a manifestation of the phenomena of polar reciprocities in the combining processes. In tracing briefly these corresponding relations, we find them expressed in the slow growth of rocks and metal, in the processes of vegetable accretion and growth, and in all forms of life, also in the inter-relations of stellar space. To state it more definitely, we find co-relation between oxygen and hydrogen in water formation, based upon the reciprocal polarities of these two gases. We find carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, ammonial compounds, hydrogen compounds in plants and vegetable life, based upon the plants' reciprocal polarity to sunlight, atmospheric substances and soil, containing these elements. In all of these manifestations of cosmic pro- cess, we trace correspondiiig relations, hence co-relation. In the organization of brain in human anatomy, we find expressed in normal states the functions of the motary and sensory system, with their varying degrees of development in the individual, and the similarity of its expression to the CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. I 53 varying needs of human existence. These corresponding relations of the motor brain to the voluntary movements of the physical organism, are extremely subtle and complex, while the relation between the sensory system and objec- tive nature, by which man's consciousness is largely im- pressed, affords us a study in psychology and its associations which as yet are only partially comprehended by the aver- age intellect. All co-relations in nature depend upon a principle of reciprocal polarity, which as an inner ruling principle unites in harmonious combination the heteroge- neous characteristics of nature's elemental forces. It is a universal axiom in physics, that "any entity or manifestation of energy that has affinity for, or can be acted upon by un- like factors, has the strongest affinity for those factors of its own composition. " The affinity that an individual vege- table plant has for those factors of atmosphere and soil which are selective to its special development, is a demon- stration of this axiom. The expression of electrical energy along lines of the most highly tensioned wire, or through earth currents and atmosphere of the least resistance, is a further demonstration of this universal truth. But in no realm of energy or force is this truth more manifest than in mental co-relations. The affinity (polar relation) of one mind or intellect to another, or for all minds of similar grade, affords ample demonstration of this axiom. Indeed, in cosmic process, there are no limitations to this axiom of the universal relation of things, and it exists in all forms of elements and matter, and in all types of life, as an invisi- ble mode of motion. THE CONSERVATION OF ENERGY. If the principle of "The Conservation of Energy," be true, it must apply to mental energies, as well as to other forms of force. Applied to matter, it means "to preserve and protect from loss or decay all energies and factors of nature." The discovery of its underlying data, gave rise 154 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. to the axiom that, "In nature nothing is created, noth- ing lost." Nature ' 'preserves and protects" in some form the infinitude of her forces and their relations. This being true of natural forces it must include, conscious indi- vidual mental force. If it be true of all forces, it must in- clude the highest and most subtle, no less than its factors. It must include the ' 'formative or shaping forces" no less than the corollaries of these forces. If it includes "the formative or shaping forces" of nature, than it includes the soul of individual man; as each human possesses this indi- vidual shaping soul force. If nothing be lost in the labor- atory of cosmic evolution, than * 'the soul of things " which is the real entity that nature evolves in cosmic art, is immor- tal. To deny this deduction, is to deny the inductions of science, and the premise upon which all human knowledge is formulated. To deny the mental co-relation existing between spirit-life and the mortal plane, is to deny the correspond- ing relations belonging to every plane of existence, since all existence is to the mortal, an invisible existence. The highest order and form of energy known to reason and re- search, is intellectual energy. So we affirm that in a world where all manifestations have their origin in in- visible nature, where all relations and associations are psychic in their action, no thoughtful student and thinker will be in haste to establish the limitations and boundaries of nature's related associations. This tendency and weakness has been a besetting vice of short-sighted zealots and dogmatists in all of the ages of past time, who have labored in vain to make infinitude the product of some god, whom they have clothed with their own mental indi- viduality, and in dogmatic opposition to the demonstrations and facts of nature as cited by colleges and universities, they label their mental speculations, "Infinite Intelli- gence." CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 55 THE HYPOTHESIS OF THE CO-RELATION OF FORCE, DEMONSTRATED. We affirm that the positive and scientific proof of Modern Spiritualism and of the "continuity of life," inheres in the principles of "The Co-relation of Force," and "The Conservation of Energy," as these principles are applied to the mathematics of cosmic process. It is a popular illusion that the proof of immortality and modern Spiritualism can be found only in the Bible, and in what is call "a spirit test," In all candor we desire to say that there is not a particle of proof of continuity of existence to be found either in the Protestant or Douay Bible, or in any volume of sacred writings known; neither is there any proof of Modern Spiritualism in any ancient beliefs or texts known, for the reason that the data and facts upon which this modern induction is based, were not known to the time or periods which gave birth to ancient Spirit- Schisms. Not only the Bible, but all so-called "sacred cosmoganies" contain testimony and evidence of "Spirit- Schisms, " and ' 'Spiritism, " since testimony and evidence are only indications of human opinions and beliefs, but human opinions and beliefs, and the concurrency of them, unsup- ported by synthetic analysis, falls short of the methods by which truth is known, and proof , an established synthesis. No book of the "Old Testament" contains evidence that the Hebrew nation had any concurrency of belief in im- mortal life. Its writers were pessimistic, materialistic, speculative and uncertain regarding a state of future exist- ence. The various tribes of Israel were more interested in establishing the prowess and prestige of their national gods than in establishing the principles of the continuity of life. They thought themselves to be a chosen people, and their gods were partisan deities, too selfish, fiend- ish and merciless to save or protect other nations who I56 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. worshipped other gods. The ''New Testament" is a much later record of events than those recorded in The Old Testament. The term "New Testament^ means "new testimony" and new testimony is not "old testimony." It implies different testimony from that of the old. But testimony old or new is not proof. Jesus did not teach immortality for the race of mankind. His life and acts furnish no evidence that he believed in such a state of progression for man. He did not bring immorality to light. He did far less to establish this thought than did the Oracles of Apollo and Dodena 2,000 years before his time. St. Paul gives more consecutive testimony of a state of spirit existence than did Jesus and his disciples. The people with whom the disciples and apostles associa- ted both before and after the crucifixion, furnish more evi- dence of spirit control and spirit association, than did either Jesus or his disciples. But none of this testimony or evi- dence is proof of continuity of life. Human opinions, hozvever uniform, cannot be taken as the criterion of truth. Let it be written on every human intellect, that the phe- nomenon of any reaction in cosmic process, or the mental relations of the spirit world, cannot be proven by mere beliefs and opinions ; for the reason that proof of any cosmic phenomenon is to be found only in the analysis OF the principles of nature, upon which the phenome- non is based; and through which inter-relations it is expressed. We do not prove water formation by the beliefs and opinions of those who drink it, or who sometimes use it for promoting cleanliness. We do not prove that Lime is the oxide of the metal Calcium, by human opinions, or why it has great resistance to heat, by the guesses of the public mind. We are obliged to resort to chemical analysis to obtain these facts. So in the demonstration of Modern Spiritualism as the philosophy of continued life and the CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. I 57 mental association of the spirit realm, we shall ultimately see that the proof of these concepts can only be accurately demonstrated, by an analysis of the principles of co-relation which unite in cosmic process all the factors, forces, chem- ical modes of motion, and mental energies of nature. With this object in view, we ask our reader to accompany us into the laboratory of analytical investigation, where only can we find the true data of nature's associated energies, and where her immutable truths stand forth as guiding stars to human research and progress. Here we must ask you to leave at the threshhold of this inquiry the commonly accepted priestly platitude that "matter is dead, and crude and inert,'' or that its investi- gation is materialistic and tends to atheism and infidelity. These foolish sophisms are the careless speech of those whose zeal for popularity stops at nothing, and would even malign the God whom they claim is the author of the uni- verse. In tracing these co-relations we shall be able to prove that man, like all forms of life below him, is restricted by similar environments as those qualifying other forms of life, to the extent at least, that he depends upon nature's assistance for all that he is or can aspire to. The philosophy of action and reaction, of co-relation and affinity, are not so difficult to comprehend, if we begin an investigation rightly. Here are a dozen marbles 000000000000 held in a groove, and so placed that they impinge, one upon another. If we press or push the first marble against the marble it touches, it will induce move- ment in all of them to the extent the first one is moved. This action, or movement of the entire line of marbles, is best understood as an action or movement of physical induction, or transmission, since the energy which we trans- mit to the push of our finger, against the first marble, is transferred and induced in succession through the entire row of marbles. With this simple experiment to introduce you 158 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. to a form of what is called physical action, we will now call your attention to a deeper and more suggestive experi- ment with The Vibrating Steel Bar. (See Plate 1.) Here we have a common steel bar thirty inches long and so sus- pended as to be free from contact from any thing. If we strike our bar on the end with a common steel hammer, che blow puts it in vibration, and we hear a very pretty tone. But there comes with the vibration of the bar a sound of the hammer that struck it. What induces that sound of the hammer? A principle of reaction. If we ex- amine carefully all of the facts of this phenomenon, we find that the bar struck the hammer, just as hard, as the ham- mer struck the bar. That is to say in scientific way, that the action of the hammer upon the bar, was equalled by the reaction of the bar upon the hammer. Thus you see how it is, that in certain departments of physics, we say that, "action and reaction are equal. " Let us now make another experiment which will demonstrate a universal principle of action and reaction which applies with full force to every department of nature's co-related energies. We will now strike our steel bar with a wooden hammer. (See Plate I.) In this action our hammer emits a different tone or sound from that of the steel hammer, while the pitch of the tone of the bar remains the same. What is the cause of the change of sound in the hammer? Because of the different structure and organization of the hammer itself. The former hammer was made of steel. The reac- tion of the bar upon it, put its entire molecular structure into vibration. The wooden hammer is composed of a dif- ferent form of matter, but that fact did not prevent the reaction of the bar upon it, for it vibrated its own molecular fiber and characteristics. If we strike our bar in succession with a variety of hammers, we will find that while the pitch of tone of the bar remains the same, that the reaction of the bar upon the hammers used, makes each of them in Plate 1. CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 59 turn, vibrate their own molecular organization. If our steel bar was a mile or more in length, and properly insu- lated, we could soon train our ear to sense and tell each hammer that struck it. We will demonstrate this principle and fact a little later on, in another department of physics. All and each of these experiments, like our first one with the marbles, are the expression of what is called (errone- ously) physical or mechanical* induction, which fact will be amplified as we proceed. But we desire to call your attention to another fact and phenomenon which otherwise might escape your attention. It is this: That while each hammer induced a certain pitch of tone or vibration in the bar, the quality of the tone, was modified or changed with each hammer we used. If we continue these experiments, using in turn six differently structured hammers, we will find that one of them induces in the steel bar its finest quality of tone. This phenomenon is due to a principle of molecular selection or suitability of the hammer to the vibratory structure of the bar, in the promotion of fine quality and elegance of tone. This truth of selection is found expressed in varying degrees in all cosmic forms of life. So it will be seen that selection as well as co-relation are associated factors lying at the very base of organic mat- ter. It took our musical mechanics a long time to find out something of this principle of selection in the construc- tion of organ pipes, and reeds; and in the structure of a *In precise scientific reasoning, there is no such thing as physical or mechanical induction for the reason that all energy is an invisible mode of motion and has its source or origin in the psychic reactions of nature's laboratory. The energy that moved the marbles, or struck the steel bar, was an evolution of conscious volition, operating upon and through certain ganglionic centers of the brain and arm. Steam and electricity are neither physical or mechanical energies per se; but may be applied to physical or mechanical action. So can volition operating through certain cortical centers of the motary system. All relations and co-relations in cosmic process are psychic, being the reactions of the life principle of things. l60 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. suitable wire material for our pianos, and properly covered hammers to strike the wire; and there is still room for im- provement. It has taken our agriculturists, and floracultu- rists a long time to find the most suitable soils and climate for the respective growths and highest development of seeds and flowers, but no one has yet been brave enough to sug- gest that the highest application of this truth of intellectual selection, should qualify conjugal and matrimonial alliances and wedded life. But of this we may speak further on. Let us apply this principle of action and reaction, and of co-relation briefly, in another department of physics. Here is a glass of common water. We will put into it a small lump of salt, and watch the action upon it. The action of the water upon the salt very soon dissolves it. As a visible lump of salt, it is lost to view — it has changed its form of visibility. As salt, it can no longer be seen by the eye. The water has acted upon it and changed its form. But the salt in turn has re-acted upon the water, and changed its character. It is no longer pure water. Its action on the salt has been met and opposed by the re-action of the salt ? which now pervades every molecule of water in the glass. Every molecule of visible salt was acted upon by the water, and, every molecule of water by the re-action of the salt, became salt-water. Our analytical chemist will find a trace of the smallest particle of salt we can put into the water. Thus we see that action and reaction are equal, since the time required to reduce the salt, be the quantity large or small, depends upon the proportion of the volume of the water to the quantity of salt. This eternal principle of action and re-action applies not only to elements of nature in process of combi- nation, but to all compound forms of matter, and to all types and conditions of vegetable or plasmatic life, and all types and kinds of animal life from nomad to man. It is the fundamental order of the equations of stellar-space. CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. l6l Disease acts upon the human system as a mode of invisible motion; and the system opposes the action of the disease to the degree of its own polar resistance, or in proportion as the vital action of the system qualifies it to oppose the action of the disease. Disease of whatever kind exerts an influence on the system, and leaves a trace of its effects. So crime committed, leaves its effects on the entire nervous and mental organization of man. The memory of a crime, articulates every avenue of the human mentality, until every fibre and tissue of the human vibrates the crime as a molecular mode of mental motion; as eertain and definite in its action, as the vibrations of our steel bar and its vari- ous hammers. The human that goes into company with abnormal appetite, with disease, or crime, is as sure to be diseased as readily with one condition as the other, as cer- tain of detection when these great truths of reactions and co-relations are thoroughly comprehended, as the chemist is, to find salt in salt water, or the vibrations of the steel bar and hammers are, to reveal their own molecular organ- izations. Physicists hitherto, have only applied these prin- ciples of action, reaction and co-relation to the ordinary forms of matter in its organic relations. We find these principles to apply and to be operative in every realm and department of nature — they are eternal. The popular mind will be startled with the significance of this truth as with the trump of judgment day, when it fully realizes the extent, subtlety, and application of these immutable re- actions, connecting as they do, man to his environment. There can be no action in any realm of existence without reaction; and man's mental reactions and thought will eventually reveal to the public his duplicity, his crimes and misdemeanors, with the certainty and accuracy of wireless telegraphy, since both of these systems of wireless telegra- phy and thought transferrence involve the same data of selective prolarity and principles of mental electro induction. 1 62 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. Nature seems to be a vast laboratory of spiritual ener- gies and elements, infinitely related by molecular ties of electro polar character. Every form we see has an invisi- ble relation to some things we do not see. We call this invisible relation, "psychic;" — hence all relations in nature are psychic and are unseen. This is true of every form of matter and type of life. Man has not understood or com- prehended his relation to nature or to his fellow-man because he has depended upon his vision, not knowing that vision was only an avenue of sensing, and that sensation itself is the result of a psychic impact of some mode of sense mo- tion upon his consciousness. Our steel bar is composed of an innumerable number of steel molecules so small in size as to be invisible to the eye. In organization each molecule is like the rest. These are united together by a process of combination of the elements of which the bar is com- posed. This combining process is called affinity, which we will explain a little further on. These molecules of steel are all of the same electro tension, and when we strike the end of the bar, the entire bar rings for the reason that each molecule blends into union with its neighbor molecule, and any impulse that disturbs one of these and arouses it into vibration, that impulse induces similar action in the entire mass of molecules comprising the bar. The same princi- ple applies to the hammers, and to all forms of matter that possess acoustic properties. Not only this, but nearly every form of matter and the elements of which they are com- posed, are reciprocal to an infinite variety of impulses far more subtle than those we ascribe to mechanical or physi- cal induction, as we shall be able to demonstrate in another chapter. Matter, infinitely reciprocal to all modes of mo- tion known to cosmic process, and cosmic evolution! What a sublime truth. Matter, etherial, elemental or in compound form, the vehicle of thought and mental energy, connecting all spheres and realms of time and space, CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 6$ because of its infinite co-relations. What a realism is this to usher in the great inductions of the Twentieth Century. Matter, fresh from the mold of spiritual forces, in a spir- itual universe, and almost sentient by the omnipotent touch of nature's combined forces; matter, through which angels breathe the glad tidings of a continuous and progressive life for man, and the disembodied intellect of earth's most noble savans whisper to mortal ears, and impress the con- scious brain of the thinking soul, with the thought of a spiritual world of transcendent splendor, where the philos- ophers and philanthropists of all nations, seek to honor and bless mankind. O, Reader! Stop and think! CO-RELATION WITHOUT VISIBLE CONTACT. In the foregoing we have briefly demonstrated princi- ples of action and reaction and of co-relation where the factors were in contact. We have shown how a blow or concussion of any hammer on the steel bar induced a vibra- tion caused by the impact, through every molecule of the bar; and that the reaction of the bar induced a similar vibra- tion into the molecules of the hammer that struck the bar. We have suggested that the vibration of the bar carried with it the sound of the hammer that struck it, and that the reaction of the bar upon the hammer transmitted to the hammer, the pitch of tone and molecular tension of the bar. We also found by experiment that these same principles of action and reaction applied to chemical combination with, the same degree of verification. From these data we de- duced the universal application of these principles of the molecular co-relation of things, and that it applied to all cosmic processes and their factors. We deduced that as disease in the human system aroused a vibration of molec- 1 64 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. ular character indicating the presence of disease as a mode of motion, so the action of crime committed of whatsoever character arouses in the nervous mental organization of the individual who committed it, a vibration of the crime, that intellectual man can read as accurately as the scientific pathologist reads and locates disease. Having shown these immutable principles to be operative where there is visible contact of the factors, we will now demonstrate that they apply with equal force, where there is no contact, and the factors are remote from each other, but when there exists polar affinity between them. We will make our first experiments in the art of scenic photography, because the exposition of its principles will better qualify you to understand other more subtle co- relations found in nature. We will select a little neck of water extending from the lake up into the highlands, where the bank slopes gracefully towards the water, and beyond the bank rises a large grove of trees majestic and stately, whose gently moving branches and tops seem to be stretch- ing their arms and leaves high into the sunlight of a beauti- ful June morning, as if in anxious, but hopeful expectation d continuous support from the sun and ethers of space. On the bank, the owner of the property has trimmed into ^comely form some native flowering shrubs, and little patches oi violets, and here and there a small bush of wild roses, which help to mould into eloquent scenery the landscape before us. The little neck of water too, so placid and calm in the sunlight, reflects the beautiful bank with its shrubs and flowers and the large trees in the background, are all mirrored in so strong outlines, that we can easily imagine that we sense in this reflection of the scene in the water, a spirit realm, where perennial banks and flowers and trees exist in reflected reality — the reflection on our consciousness of such an existence, being so analogous in many ways to the reflection in the water. What a mornibg is this, and CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 65 how this landscape seems to be in harmony with the radi- ance of sunlight and the fragrance of the atmosphere. How the eloquent counterpoints here blending of nature's infinite art, brings to mind the swelling and immortalizing strains of Handel's Largo, as it melts the soul into a recognition of the boundless equations in nature's infinitude; and the psychic and spiritual impress of this infinite art upon our consciousness, is in a manner quite analogous to the psychic impress of this scene upon the object glass of our camera. Having selected a suitable position we will focus our lens in such a way, as to reproduce in detail the minutiae of the scene before us. Placing our photographic plate in the exact line of this focus we expose it to the scene before us, one second of time. Let us now take it to the developing room and see what are the results of our efforts. Taking the plate out of the holder, we note no change in the film. Not a trace of any reaction can be seen. No micro- scope can reveal it; and yet, when as we place it in the de- veloping solution, we see dimly at first, how the entire sur- face of the plate has been receptive to the invisible modes of color motion, which have had a strange molecular action on the film. Every shade and color seen in the sloping bank and in the verdure of grass and flower and shrub and trees, together with those reflected in the v/ater, have been impressed as color motion on the sensitive plate. Like so many different hammers each color has struck the plate, bringing with it not only the character of the color, but the shape and general contour of the bank; also the shape of flowers and shrubs and trees, and their reflection in the water, have all been affined to the film of the plate, each in proportion to its selective and elective affinity. Each color motion according to its vibratory rate, has impressed the sensitive film, and the film has reacted upon each color mo- tion, thus changing their color individuality. In these reactions and those caused by development the color per se 1 66 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. is lost to view, — only its molecular action is seen on the film.* Here we see demonstrated again the principles of action and reaction, and of co-relation where the factors were not in visible contact. Here we sense that there was some quality in each and all of these colors that had chemical affinity for the film or coating of our plate, and we also sense that the chemical structure of the plate was reciprocal to these modes of color motion, hence the co- relations between them. Had this scene been further away, and the atmosphere free from anything to obstruct the action of light and color motion, we would have obtained the same results. Distance, or space of itself, in no way changes the reciprocal relation of polar factors, t Fre- quently, however, the atmosphere does contain invisible elements and substances, which do interfere and modify natural polar relations, and these opposing elements and factors are known in physics as, i 'opposing modes of motion" Having seen that cosmic co-relations and principles of action and reaction are operative through illimitable space, *In 1874 the author of this demonstrated in a lecture to a conven- tion of photographers held at Buffalo, N. Y., in the month of August, liow the picture gets onto the plate in photographic process by the affin- ity of color motion for the film or coating of the plate. He also affirmed at that time that ''if the principles of molecular radiation were true, the time was not distant when we would be able to picture the internal anat- omy of the human organism." — See Munn's Science Record, 1874, Art. Photometry of Colors. fThe photographing of the dog-star Sirus at the Lick Observatory, and the discovery of stars in its nebula in the photograph which the eye could not see through the telescope, is a demonstration of this principle. Sirus is said to be twenty-three billions of miles from the earth. Also the discovery this current year — 1902 — of a star of the first magnitude in the southern hemisphere which is larger than Sirus, and whose approxi- mate distance is estimated at r23 billions of miles from the earth, is con- clusive evidence that the principlesof psychic affinity and co-relation are without limit. CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 67 we will now turn our attention to an experiment that dem- onstrates that time is virtually annihilated in the expression of these co-relations; or at most is so brief as to be beyond ordinary sensation. To this end we will photograph what is called "a streak of lightning. " To secure the best dem- onstration of this fact in nature's relation of forces, we will select a dark night, when all nature seems hushed as though anticipating a cataclysmic shock. An occasional peal of thunder preceded by a bright flash of lightning is all that disturbs the static quiet and inky darkness enveloping us. The peals of thunder grow louder, the flashes of light- ning more frequent, while here and there a fork of zigzag lightning descends towards the earth accompanied with deafening peals of thunder. The storm cloud comes nearer; we can now see its outlines when a flash of lightning lights up its silver-crested domain. Let us get ready now for the experiment before the rain begins to fall, for these electrical reactions upon the oxygen and hydrogen gases in the at- mosphere are nature's method of evolving water. We will first focus our lens upon the approaching cloud, and place a sensitive photographic film several feet in length, closely wound upon a cylinder and so adjusted in the camera, that it can be drawn out directly in line of the focus. Connect- ing one end of the film to the mechanism that moves it, we will now see that the electrical device for opening and clos- ing the shutter of the lens is properly connected. A strong battery attached to a small motor dynamo so tensioned as to open and close our shutter in one-thousandth part of a second is connected behind the lens. Starting the mechan- ism in motion that moves the film across the field of focus, we press the button operating the shutter, which flies with electrical rapidity across the face of the lens. A few flashes of heat lightning — so-called — are reflected upon the film as it is drawn over the field of focus. Now there comes a ter- rific discharge of forked lightning, accompanied by a deaf- 1 68 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. ening crash. During all of this time our device for securing this picture in the briefest time possible, has been steadily at work, the film being impressed with every flash of light, and the shutter opening and closing the lens with electrical fidelity. It is in such mechanisms as these, that we see demonstrated how the genius of man's progressive intellect, which theology in all ages has labeled ' 'finite mind," is so progressive as to devise methods to catch and hold a picture of the very lightnings of storm-clouds, and the storm- clouds themselves, that their form and visible appearance may be investigated. The development of our film demon- strates that every flash of heat lightning illuminated the approaching cloud and the changes taking place in its shape and character. Not only this, but the zigzag bolt in its attractions to the earth has been accurately taken and out- lined on the film of our negative. The inconceivable time in which this was taken, indicates that the psychic and in- visible impress of this energy of electrical character, makes chemical changes in atmosphere and every thing for which it has polar affinity, as well as upon the photographic film in a lapse of time so brief that the intellect cannot grasp it. The one-thousandth part of a second. Who among our readers can think it. Yet in that fraction of a second, the molecular changes in atmosphere and soil, and upon vege- tation and all forms of life within its polar radiation, were far more wonderful and far-reaching, than all of the mir- acles ascribed to the gods of time. No star of space, no realm of infinitude so remote, as to be exempt from the eternal rhythm of nature's reactions. No change of for- mula, no plane or sphere in cosmic process, that is not sub- ject to it. There is no domain of metaphysics — no place where there is a change of this invisible relation of the ele- ments and factors of time. What the world of philosophy . has called i 'physics, " is only a term expressive of the visible phenomena of invisible chemical changes. There is no CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 69 arcanum where there is a variation of this order of unity in cosmic evolution. The metaphysician will die with the gods. He has been a willing and abject slave to some form of theology, since the inception of the priesthood. No mental chimera, no flight of an abnormal imagination, no platitude, in brief no ignorance so stolid, that he without thought, or with mental perjury would not help to perpetuate. Miracle, mystery and myths, are the trinity in unity, upon which he imag- ines cosmic process to depend. i 'Material laws for a mate- rial world," ' 'and spiritual laws for a spiritual world,'' "a realm of matter and a realm of spirit," "a realm of physics and a realm of metaphysics," and "the duality of matter and spirit," are some of the ridiculous and unprovable sophisms inscribed upon his banners and in his writings. These inconsistent theological vagaries have had their day. Before the rising genius of a liberated intellect and the in- ductions of modern science, the myths and mysteries of a mythological age will fade from view; and will be succeeded by a knowledge of the sublime truths of cosmic co-relations. All of nature's forces will be seen to be in a co-operative partnership of fraternal and harmonious combination; uniting in polar unity to sustain and develop formative forces, which manifest themselves on the earth plane in the phenomena of visible form. From this visibility of appear- ance, the superficial thinker has imagined cosmos and cosmic processes to be material; but the philosophic intellect dis- covers behind this phenomenon of visibility, the omnipo- tence and spirituality of nature's formative processes. This truer, deeper and grander thought of nature's associated energies, will gradually dawn upon the progressive intel- lect of an age that thinks. I70 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. ALL FORMS OF CO-RELATION ARE INVISIBLE MODES OF MOTION. Having shown briefly the fact of co-relation existing between things in contact that produce or evoke special phenomena, as well as between factors that are polar to each other but far apart, it may be desirable that we dem- onstrate as clearly as possible, that this relation of one thing or factor to another in nature's domain, is always an invisible relation. The impulse in our steel bar that was aroused by the stroke of the various hammers used, was transferred from molecule to molecule as an "invisible mode of motion, " which means an invisible method of acting, of of action, on the part of the molecules of the bar. The same truth applies to each hammer used. The reaction of the bar, aroused or induced an invisible action of the molecules of the various hammers. In a manner somewhat analogous, the impact of the different colors in the scenery we photographed, upon the sensitive film of our plate, caused an invisible chemical action on the film, and the reaction of the chemical energies upon the various color motions was so in- tense, although invisible, as to eliminate the color per se from the impress obtained, and leave on the plate only the result of the electro action of the color itself. It was also demonstrated that each hammer made a differ- ent sound as it struck the bar, and each color left a different impress on the film, hence it follows that every change of sound in the hammers and bar, and every variation of the impress of color motion on the photographic film, was in reality caused by different methods of acting, of the differ- ent modes of motion, co-operative in the production of the phenomena induced by these experiments. Let us see now if we can probe a little deeper into this invisible action, and ascertain if possible something of its character, and what it Plate 2. CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 171 is that causes this great divergency in the methods of action of what scientific minds have called, "modes of motion." Here we have (Plate 2) an electropoise. Although not made especially as an electropoise, it will answer our pur- pose. If we take our twelve-inch horseshoe magnet, and hold its negative pole within six or eight inches of the posi- tive pole of the steel bar poised in the center of the appar- atus, you will note an indication of a strong attraction of the needle or bar, towards the magnet. If we hold the N-pole near enough, the needle or bar will be so closely attached, as to require some force to separate them. If we hold the positive end of the magnet near the positive end of the needle, the needle or bar will be repelled. Now you can't see this energy that seems to pull the needle towards the magnet, or that drives it away. It is called an invisible mode of electro-magnetic motion. Yet this invisi- ble motion pulls or pushes in proportion to the electro- magnetism induced by the combining molecular organiza- tion of both magnet and bar. This invisible energy does not belong to the magnet alone, but is an evolution of the combined energies of both bar and magnet. To prove this let us suspend our magnet by a string tied in its center and attached to the ceiling, and we w r ill find that if we hold the bar or needle rigidly in our hand near the magnet, that it will in turn be attracted or repelled as we relate the posi- tive or negative poles of the bar. These phenomena al- ways appearing in these experiments, we find that the prin- ciples of attraction and repulsion in nature are sensed to be (first) invisible modes of motion, and (second) the result of the combining elements and energies of the factors involved. This principle of invisible relation, and combination applies to every molecule of all forms of matter, and is manifest in the various modes of attraction and repulsion in the expres- sion of all types and combinations of matter. But it will be claimed by the superficial thinker, that there is no com- 172 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. bination where there is visible repulsion as is witnessed in the action of the needle, when opposing poles are brought in contact. This is a very common, but erroneous conclu- sion. In the phenomenon of the repulsion of the needle or bar, it is quite evident that the mode of motion emanating between these poles do act and re-act upon each other for the reason that if our magnet be suspended, and its positive pole approached by the bar held firmly {positively) in our hand, the positive pole of the magnet will be repelled, so we reach the conclusion that principles of visible repul- sion, when all factors are equally disturbed, inhere in the psychic reaction of the molecules of both factors.* To this extent then, there does exist between the opposing poles of magnet and bar, a species of combination which for want of a better term we will call, "nego combination . "t To further elucidate this truth, that visible repulsion is due to a repelling magnetic force the product of the posi- tive or negative poles of the magnet and bar when brought into contact, we will call your attention to experiments with the Differential Magnetometer. % (See Plate 3.) If we place a copper bar or needle on the upper pivot of this apparatus, we find by experiment that the bar is *It would be well for those people who gossip about their dislikes of persons with whom they come in contact, to remember that this feel- ing is the result of the reaction of their own personal magnetism , no less than of those they criticise. fThe term "Nego," is from the Latin and means "to repel/' hence a repelling magnetic combination of forces, in the sense in which it is used. \ The Differential Magnetometer, is an amplified form of Oersted's electropoise, and is so arranged that needles of different metallic struc- tures and amalgamations may be tested, and their polar attractions and repulsions measured and compared for the purpose of noting principles of differentiated magnetism as qualifying the different forms of metals. The amplified form of this apparatus is the invention of the author of this book. Plate 3. CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 73 neither attracted or repelled by the approach and touch of our magnet. This static state of the bar is due to the fact that its molecular organization is not reciprocal to the magnetic energy or motion of the magnet. In other words, it is not polar to it — the molecules of copper contain no property or function to act or be acted upon by this kind of magnetism. If we substitute a bar or needle made of an amalgam of half iron and half copper, there will be seen to be slight action and re-action, and this phenomenon of at- traction and repulsion increases in vigor of expression, in proportion as we increase the amount of iron to the amount of copper in the construction of our needle. These experi- ments carried on with a variety of amalgamated needles of various metals, lead us directly to the consideration of the fact that magnetic combination depends upon a principle of selection, and selection depends upon polarity, and affinity depends upon both' selection and polarity. Applying this principle to the chemical reactions of the color motions which made the impress on our photographic plate, we see that those colors above the purple possessed the strongest affinity for the plate, and were also the first to appear in the development. And those colors below the purple had seemingly less affinity for the plate, — some of them making very feeble impressions — and were the slowest to appear in development. With the vast amount of data of these principles of co- relation in evidence, it is not difficult to understand that the formation of metals, of rocks and stones, of the different shape, size and character, of trees, shrubs, flowers and leaves w r ith all of their varying contour and characteristics, depend upon polar selection in combining processes, and that the art which has been attributed to an Oimiipotent Designer, in reality inheres in the differentiated attractions and selective polar affinities of nature s elememental forces: The method of combination is wonderfully variable, in cos- 174 CONTINTITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. mic process, and that shape, form, and visible character- istics and invisible properties are due to these varieties of selection in method of combination, seems to be thoroughly evident to the careful investigator and unbiased thinker. If the polar repulsion of invisible elements be due to some property or polar function in a flower, leaf or blade of grass in process of development, then what the flower, leaf or blade of grass attracts is likewise due to selective attrac- tion. Hence each form of vegetable life depends upon that function of attraction which selects through this principle of reciprocal and co-related polarities just those elements nec- essary for its own development — all others are repelled or possess no function of attraction. Let us extend our in- vestigation of co-relation into another department of affinity. THE PHENOMENA OF CO-RELATIONS, WITHOUT VISIBLE CHEMICAL CHANGE. We have in the foregoing briefly traced some of the principles of action and reaction, and portrayed the process of polar co-relations when visible phenomena were noted in certain phases of chemical combination. But by far the largest proportion of co-relations obtain in cosmic process, where there is no visible or immediate change taking place that can be seen in the factors involved. And these invis- ible changes, let us suggest, are more subtle, far-reaching and important, in the promotion of the equational character of all forms of life, and even of cosmos itself, than those which we see in the immediate product of chemical com- bination. In order to demonstrate some of the facts incident to this class of phenomena, we will call your attention to an apparatus involving two distinct principles, and which in PLATE 4. CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 175 reality are separate mechanisms, but which we have com- bined for convenience of illustration. It consists of a common metal equipoise or balance, for indicating principles of what we call to-day, ' l gravita- tion" to the framework of which, we have attached a modern metallic thermometer. (See Plate 4.) Our equi- poise is so constructed that a ring — not shown in the cut — can be moved upon one of the arms of the instrument to indicate changes induced by the action of gravitation. It will be seen that when the arms are perfectly bal- anced or poised, they will be of precisely the same distance each, from the surface of the table on which the apparatus rests. What we call gravitation is an invisible mode of motion, or, more exactly speaking, an invisible method of molecular attraction, and this attraction holds the arms of our instrument in exact balance; because there are as many molecules of matter to be attracted in the arms, on one side of the fulcrum or pivot, as on the other; hence we have the perfect equipoise or balance of the arms. If we place on the arm a ring or weight of whatever character, and of ever so small a size, the arm thus weighted will descend for the reason that there are more molecules now on one side of the fulcrum than on the other — hence the greater attraction. This force that pulls the arm down is invisible, and its action upon the molecular structure of the arms of the apparatus, or upon any form of matter attracted, is also invisible. This truth applies to all specific gravities of which water is the unit of measurement or comparison, and it also applies to etheric gravities of which atmosphere is the unit of comparison. In all of the co-relations of gravity in either form, we have to deal with an action and reaction in which no perceptible chemical changs takes place in either factor. We only witness the phenomenon of the result of the attractive forces. The question often arises, "What is gravitation?" jyb CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. There has been much speculation and discussion among physicists and experimentalists in an effort to answer this interrogation, and opinions vary according to the different lines of investigation each claimant has pursued. With due respect to the opinions of others, we believe that eventually gravitation will be seen to be a form of electro-magnetic attraction, and in harmonious mathematical accord to the proportion of the body of the earth, relative to the body attracted. In this computation we will see that the mag- netic action of the earth exerted an influence exactly equal to the relative molecular weight of the attracted matter. Molecular co-relations are the basis of all forms of co- relation in nature; and it must be borne in mind that this co-relation between the earth and any attracted matter is an invisible relation. With a comprehension of these facts, we are now pre- pared to investigate other forms of co-relation in which we sense analogous formula. In our modern metallic Ther- mometer (See Plate 4) is an ingeniously arranged combina- tion of metallic springs. It is a well-established fact in "Metallurgy ," that some metals expand and some contract when subject to the action of heat. And this expansion and contraction holds a definite proportion to the degrees of heat involved. The mechanical physicist has applied these facts to the structure of a thermometer which mechanism is worked by the expansion and contraction of metals; and he has succeeded in furnishing us a thermometer as exact as the mercurial thermometer, though not quite so sensitive to the action of heat. Here we see how the index hand on the dial is moved by the expansion of the metal to which the dial hand is attached, and conversely how falling tem- perature is shown by the contraction of the metal. The action of heat upon this mechanism is of molecular charac- ter, and is an invisible mode of motion, co-related to the metallic structure upon which it acts. Heat induces chem- Plate 5. CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 77 ical action, but the chemical action is of a kind we cannot see, and that chemical action expands the molecules and molecular organization of the spring which connects to the dial-hand. Heat as a mode of cosmic motion is one of the most potent factors known, — but like all other factors of time, its operations are carried on in an invisible spectrum. But heat, and cold, and moisture of the atmosphere, pro- duce other electro-magnetic changes, different entirely as a mode of motion from that of heat alone, and the genius of man has invented an instrument to indicate the varying changes of these elements and factors, as they unite in dif- ferent combinations. The instrument used to note these varied associations existing between cold, heat and atmos- pheric moisture, is called a Barometer (See Plate 5). This is a very finely calculated and a very sensitive mechanism; so arranged that w r hen a cold wave begins to near a locality, the combining electro-magnetic changes in the atmosphere, induce a change upon the molecules of the mechanism of the apparatus, sufficient to cause the index hand on the dial to point to the coming weather. When the electro- magnetic action of moisture is in the atmosphere, although the center of this action may be many miles away, yet the molecular change enveloping our Barometer and its internal structure, true to these co-relations and reactions, indicate on the dial the coming storm. We call these changes of the Barometer, the result of atmospheric pressure, but such terms are conventional — they do not express the fact. The changes, as before stated, are the result of electro-mag- netic action between cold, heat and moisture. If the coming storm center were a sentient personality, and telegraphed ahead that "it was coming, " ''prepare for me," the results could not be more precise and certain and true, than now, when it sends its symbols ahead sometimes thousands of miles with telegraphic exactness. I78 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. If we take our Barometer down into the earth on a clear day a hundred feet, its dial hand soon indicates the change of location. If we take it to the top of a high building, again its index hand notes the change of altitude. The electro-magnetic changes called "atmospheric pressure^ soon co-relate themselves to our instrument, and tell us in symbol language of nature's own making, the atmos- pheric conditions of our environment. When man learns to read these symbols of co-related nature, in a wider and deeper application than is now comprehended by the popular mind, he will be able to trace facts and their relation to other facts, far beyond what is voiced to-day. And the highest and most exalted truth which his expanding vision will discover, is that of continued life and its relations to the mortal plane, by symbols and signs as certain and true as those that relate light and heat to chemical action, or the stars of the etherial vault to our earth and solar system. On a future page we will demonstrate this truth. CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 79 RADIANT MATTER AND THE X RAY. Few, if any, discoveries of modern time have been of more universal interest and importance to the welfare and happiness of civilization, than the discovery of the X Ray. There are some inventions and discoveries valuable only to the student in science and natural philosophy; while others are of unlimited value to science and the physical welfare of the human race. The X Ray discovery, is of the latter class, and like other expositions of natural principle seems to appear upon the scroll of human progress as an induc- tive synthesis towards which an element of scientific thought had been tending many years. Michael Faraday in some of his grand essays, in a moment of inspiration, voiced his belief in a principle of the universal radiancy of matter, based upon the electro-magnetic character of all known forms of matter. This thought was opposed and even derided by many jealous physicists, chemists, and experimentalists of his time, and seemed almost lost to view when Professor Crookes discovered the "high vacuum tube." Although the first tubes used by Crookes were of comparatively simple structure, yet a slight modification of them in the hands of Professor Roentgen in some ex- periments made with a Rumcorff induction coil, led to the discovery of the X Ray. Subsequent experiments with the X Ray opened to view new principles manifest in the forma- tion and character of matter in general; leading experimen- talists to the conclusion that Faraday's theory of the ' 'Radiancy of matter,"* if it was not an inspiration, was a *Michael Faraday made many experiments with a vacuum tube of low tension, and was followed by Gessler, who made improvements upon it. These tubes are known as "low vacuum tubes." But it remained for Professor Crookes to construct a "high vacuum tube," and the discovery of the X Ray is due to the manifestation of a very penetrative quality of light not manifest in a low vacuum. l8o CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. very close deduction from facts known in his time, and which a close analysis and further experiments in this field of research were found to contain an iriductive truth. Following in close succession the discovery of Crookes* tube and the X Ray, came the discovery by Edison of the Fluoroscope; which is not only a most valuable acquisition to an X Ray apparatus, but an evidence within itself of the principles of radiancy upon which Faraday postulated his hypothesis. It is not our intent to trace out the co-rela- tions upon which X Ray phenomena depend, but rather to call attention to the fact that the principles and data involved in this discovery, no less than the character of the phenomena of X Ray experiments, are important and valuable factors in the discussion before us. With the application of the princi- ples of "The Co-relation of Force," "The Conservation of Knergy," and "Radiancy of Matter," as outlined by Fara- day, it will be seen that Modern Spiritualism and its phe- nomena as a cosmic truth, rests upon a basis that challenges the attention of the ripest scholarship and the most mature thought of the philosophic intellect of this age. Lexicographers define the word "radiant," as meaning /'darting" — emitting rays of heat or light"— "beaming with brightness." As both heat and light emanating from matter depend upon a state of molecular vibration, it will be seen that when any form of matter can be raised to the vibra- tions producing heat and light, that such forms of matter are naturally radiant; that is, they contain properties which under certain combinations evoke radiancy. The reactions of a solution of cold sal- ammonia upon a cold carbon evokes both light and heat. The reactions of a diluted solution of sulphuric acid upon a carbon and zinc, evolves both light and heat. The reactions of the Sun's atmosphere upon the atmosphere of the earth, evolves not only light and heat, but many chemical changes. None of these phenomena would obtain were not the various forms of matter highly electro CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. l8l and possessing functional combination. Glass, water, and the atmosphere and ethers cf space, are to the sense of vision, as opaque and dense as a stone wall, in the absence of light. Light differs in its forms and penetrative quali- ties. Even sun light differs from day to day in its func- tional reactions and photometric qualities. There is a vast difference between the Cathodic and X Ray in penetrative power. Lenard had discovered Cathodic Rays before Roentgen discovered the X Ray; but the Cathodic Ray is less penetrative than the X Ray. The discovery of the Cathodic Ray by Lenard had been regarded only as a sci- entific fact, but the discovery of the X Ray with its won- derful penetrative power enabling us to see the bones within the living body, aroused the wonder and amazement of the thinking world. Now Faraday was the first to sug- gest the radiancy of matter, which he called "the fourth state," which means that matter contains within itself those electro qualities producing or developing radiancy. Pro- fessor Zollner was the next to follow in this line of experi- mentation, and he termed this radiancy "Transcendental Physics," and because of its being a manifestation of an in- ternal attribute of matter, he called it the phenomenon of ' ' The Fourth Dimension of Space. " Zollner was scoffed at by the popular scientists because he affirmed that this in- visible and functional property of matter had to do with the phenomena of Spiritualism. But Professor Crookes followed in 1878-9 with a series of papers upon a "Fourth or Radiant State of Matter. " Professor Tyndall admitted these inductions of Faraday and Crookes in his essays upon light and heat, considered as modes of motion of matter. We cannot pass these data without pointing out briefly the attitude of the scientific world towards Spiritualism during the time some of these earlier experiments were being made regarding the character of matter. Faraday, Tyndall and many other well-known physicists opposed Spiritualism 1 82 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. because they saw no relevancy or relation between spirit as an immaterial entity, and matter. Spiritual forces were re- garded only in a metaphysical sense, and a scientific thinker is rarely, if ever, a metaphysician. In Roman Catholic, Protestant, Mahommedan, Brahmic and Buddhistic nations, Spirit and Spiritual forces or things were considered as sep- arate and distinct forces from those qualifying the visible world. The infinite spirituality of all cosmic forces had not dawned upo7i the human intellect. In Catholic and Protestant countries the only spiritual forces were those that emanated from the Hebrew God, Jehovah or Yahve. In Mahommedan countries the only spiritual energies were those that flowed from Allah. In Brahmic nations only the spirit of Brama or Brahm was omnipotent. In Buddh- istic countries the only spiritual force or power was that which flowed from Buddah in Nirvana. With some of these varying concepts of spirit and spirituality in the envi- ronment of the scientific student, coupled with the short- comings and incongruities of the atomic theory, it is but little wonder that a scientific intellect could not comprehend the relation or the co-relation of spirit or spiritual modes of motion to matter. Man is swayed more or less by his environment, and always has been, and will be, because of the natural co-relation of mental forces. Neither Faraday, Tyndall nor Huxley could see how that spirit as && entity or mode of motion, could manifest through matter which it was assumed had no affinity for spirit, since they under- stood thoroughly that all phenomena in nature were the result of affinities. Besides, these savans accepted the atomic theory, although all of them appreciated its incon- sistencies. Zollner also accepted the atomic theory and rejected Spiritualism until his famous experiments with Dr. Henry Slade, the phenomenal Spiritualist, of New York. These experiments and tests aroused a new line of thought in him, and his "Transcendental Physics,'' is the first CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 83 scholarly effort on record to place Spiritualism and its phe- nomena where it belongs — in nature's order of things. He was unfortunate both in the selection of a title to his work, and in presenting his facts from the plane of a metaphysi- cian. The term ' 'Transcendental," means super-eminent — surpassing others. This term cannot logically be applied to the attributes, functions or qualities of matter, or to the elements of which it is composed; nor can there be in cos- mic process a state or condition of matter that is ' 'super- eminent," or surpassing other states, for the reason that every advanced state in the organization of matter depends upon a preceding state or condition. Yet Zollner succeeded in part, in calling the attention of thinkers to the fact that matter has something more than length, breadth and thickness. Its internal function quali- fies a dimension of space that cannot be measured by length, breadth and thickness. In his mental vision of these manifestations of functional attributes he could not apply the atomic theory, but he recognized the presence of an unknown power which Faraday, Gessler and others had called "The Fourth State of Matter." Faraday accounted for the radiancy of matter upon the hypothesis that in a state of radiant vibration the molecules were far apart com- paratively. Crookes claimed to have demonstrated Faraday s hypothesis as a fact, by experiments in his high-vacuum tubes. None of these eminent thinkers had considered that the life principle of the elements of which matter is com- posed, was possibly held in etheric solution, or more accu- rately, in etheric form. Hence, as ethers and the life principle of elements contained in them cannot be measured by atoms any more than we can measure sunshine by ounces and pounds, it follows that etheric substances cannot be hypothecated upon such a physical and materialistic basis. Besides, principles of radiation are just as true in etheric form, as in the form of matter, as is demonstrated 184 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. in the phenomena of solar light and radiation in the vast ethers of space. These facts and phenomena being in evi- dence, we deduce that matter being the product of the ele- ments, all of which can be reduced to etheric form, that it contains or possesses the function of radiancy, since all forms of ethers known are radiant. That all forms of matter possess this attribute seems true, but that some forms of matter are more radiant than other forms, will be seen to be true also, owing to principles of organization and combination. The application of the X Ray, demonstrates this fact, since the tissues of flesh, and many other forms of matter, offer but slight resistance to the penetrative power of X Ray, while other forms such as some metals possess, require a powerful voltage of electric energy to in- fuse the molecular structure of the metal to a form of vi- bration analogous to that of radiant heat before visible radiancy appears. Considerable progress has been made in the application of the X Ray in anatomical investigation, since its discovery, and it is not an idle dream to foresee that with some changes that are sure to follow in the ar- rangement and application of this invention, that we shall yet so modify and perfect it, that the action of the heart, the circulation of the blood, the effect of some diseases upon the liver, heart, intestines and perhaps the nerve ganglia, may be examined as minutely as we now examine a dislo- cated joint or the fracture of a bone. But what makes the X Ray exposition of the greatest importance to the modern Spiritualist and thinker, is not only the fact that it proves the natural radiancy of matter, but that its analysis establishes a premise of scientific char- acter for the better comprehension of Clairvoyance, inas- much as in the analysis of the X Ray we sense how polar radiation enables us to see with the physical eye into organic bodies, and through matter; and mental polar radiation is the central fact in clairvoyance, enabling the Seer, to be Plate 6. WIRE, AND WIRELESS TELEPHONE. CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 85 impressed with modes of molecular motion emanating in "a dimension of space " lying beyond the line of ocular vision. The analysis of the X Ray is an analysis of co-related modes of invisible motion, producing radiancy. The analysis of the human brain, is an analysis of how modes of invisible motion, evoke conscious sensation of things that we cannot see, but do sense. This is a good place for the reader to stop, and think. MENTAL, ELECTRO CO-RELATIONS BE- TWEEN THOUGHT AND MATTER. Having made a careful study of the principles of nature involved in the data of preceding chapters, we are the better prepared to examine closely and in an analytical manner the phenomena of the electro relation of mental energy and thought to matter as is witnessed in the Modern Telephone. If we have succeeded in impressing your con- sciousness with the fact that all of the energies and ele- ments entering into the organization of matter are inter- related in consequence of a principle of electro character, and that electrical energy is the vehicle of all exchanges and transferrences in cosmic process, if by the term "co- relation of energy" you can comprehend that thought energy and vocal modes of thought motion are included in this term, we shall be able to impress your mentality with one of the most sublime discoveries and inductions of the nine- teenth century. (See Plate 6.) Wire and wireless tele- phoning. What a discovery, uniting — co-relating — con- sciousness to consciousness over great distances of space. Telephonic from "Tele" far away, phonic, sounds; mean- ing literally far-away sounds. How do these far away sounds reach us, we ask ? By telephone, you reply. Yes, by telephone; but how does sound operate upon the tele- 1 86 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. phonic wire ? That is the question. The wire carries or transmits the sound you say. No, the wire does not trans- mit sound per se. Sound, in its relation to consciousness is a mode of molecular motion; and different sounds are different modes of auditory motion. Let us look care- fully into this matter. In the experiment with our steel bar and its hammers, we found that the bar when struck carried in its vibrations, the character and quality of the hammer that struck it. Vocal speech consists of a combination of vowel with consonant sounds. Let us consider these sounds as little hammers. The transmitter of our tele- phone consists of a mouthpiece, behind which we place a small thin disk made of celluloid or tin, which lies gently against the poles of a wound magnet — a kind of induction coil. One pole of this magnet or coil connects to the earth with a wire to which is attached what is called an electrode which is placed several feet in the earth. To the other pole of the magnet, is attached another wire which is stretched along poles set in the ground, and connecting to a distant town or station. The earth current and our wire comprise a suitable electro circuit. Let us now speak the letter A into the mouthpiece of our transmitter. The sound of our voice puts the little celluloid disk into rapid vibration against the poles of the magnet and this impact of the disk induces through the entire length of the wire a molecular vibration of the molecules of copper of which it is composed. At the the receiving end of the line one end of our wire is attached to one of the poles of a magnet in the receiving apparatus. When the vibration of the mole- cules of the wire reach the receiver they are transposed into the same form as when impacted upon the transmit- ting magnet, and in this form they are impacted upon the tympanum of the ear of the receiving operator. The tym- panum of the human ear is a thin membranous disk, its external surface being smooth but set in association with CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 87 nerves of sensory character connecting with the sensori- motor nerves of human sensation. The internal surface of the tympanum is lined with mucous membrane and :s connected by nerves of sensation in the external cham- ber of the ear, by a branch of the ariculo-temporal of the tri-facial nerves. Against the upper half of the inner surface of the tympanum, lies the handle of the malleus (the mallet). The malleus vibrates against the incus (anvil bone) in a manner analogous to the vibration of the celluloid disk against the magnet of our transmitter in the telephone. The vibrations of the anvil bone are connected to the cochlea and its vestibule, by tissues of special structure and the auditory nerve, which terminates in it. The cochlea, is a special electrode of magnetic and acoustic character to which CONSCIOUSNESS, the KNOWING ATTRIBUTE OF THE SOUL PRINCIPLE OF MAN, is co-related. So, the mode of molecular motion which was evoked in the transmitting magnet by the vocal impact of the letter A, continues its travel as a mode of motion through the various mechanisms of the ear until it reaches the seat of consciousness, where its impact evokes a sensation of a sound symbolizing the let- ter A. If we speak the letter B into our transmitter a different kind of hammer has now been impacted upon the transferring magnet, evoking different molecular modes of motion through the wire and the receiver, and through the mechanical structure of the ear until it reaches the seat of conscious sensation, when there is evolved another symbol of human speech. And so whatever word or combination of words, whatever sound or combination of sounds are transmitted through these mechanisms of the telephone and the auditory centers, consciousness is the receiver of the symbols of human thought, for let it be known that conscious thought formulated in the intellect of the trans- 1 88 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. mitter of the message, accompanies each and all of these symbols of vocal speech. So it will be readily seen that consciousness, opera- ting through the centers of the motor system of the brain, sent the message; and consciousness being psychically impressed by the molecular changes taking place through the telephone system, and the auditory system, is the re- ceiver of the message. Hence the relation and co-relation in sending the message was between consciousness and con- sciousness. To recapitulate. The form of impressing by telephone is molecular. The Character of the impres- sions received, is psychic. The Method, — that of invisi- ble modes of motion. The System, — that of mental electro induction by sound. The Symbols employed, — those of vocal speech. The mental action of the sender of the message upon those centers of his brain that control his vocal organs, was of psychic and invisible character. The action of his voice upon the mechanism of the tele- phone and upon the wire, were psychic and invisible. The transferrence of the molecular modes of motion comprising tne message, through the ear and its auditory connections were psychic and invisible. The impact of these molecules of sound motion upon the consciousness of the receiver, were psychic and invisible. If the message sent called for a reply, the action of the conscious volition of the party replying upon the motary centers of his own brain, evoked the physical aspect, of sound or vocal speech. But in sending our message we must not overlook the fact, that the ground current comprised half of this circuit. Matter, that which theology in all ages has claimed to be * 'dead, crude and inert," and which from pulpit and rostrum through- out all ecclesiastical realms is still voiced as ' 'dead matter," comprised one-half of this electro circuit, requiring no bat- tery save that of its own electro magnetic currents, to enter into a partnership with other co-related forces of nature, CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 89 assisting us to transmit our message. The co-relation of thought as a mode of mental motion to processes of matter in the transference of vocal speech — what a phenomenon is this ? Who among the fakirs in the pulpits, who assume to know so much about God and his plans, can compre- hend the infinite subtlety of this relation. Yet, it is true, faithful, unerring and certain. If our lines or circuit had been made of the auditory nerve of the ear of any God preached about, if as capricious, treacherous, and remorse- less as he is pictured by his representatives, you would never be certain to get a message through, unless you joined the ecclesiastical trust, and then, it might depend tip on the matter. It was the discovery of the extreme subtlety and high electro tension of the matter comprising the earth and the energies of the atmosphere, that led to the discovery of wireless telegraphy and telephony. But in wireless tele- phony it is found that the molecular modes of motion comprising vocal speech come in contact with many op- posing modes of motion in the atmosphere, the nature of which is not at present fully known. For this reason, and perhaps others, wireless telephoning has been more suc- cessful over large bodies of water where atmospheric re- sistance was more homogeneous, and more easily over- come. But the electro relation of thought and mental action to all processes of transferrence will be seen to be a fact in the molecular co-relations of nature, and more than this, we are just beginning to comprehend that all co-rela- tions in nature are psychic, and all impressions upon man's conscious soul principle are invisible impressions, and these facts will go far towards demonstrating that this is the way the spirit world impresses the mortal. I90 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. THE AFFINITY OF THOUGHT FOR MAT- TKR; DEMONSTRATED. An analysis of the mechanical structure of the tele- phone and its principles demonstrates that vocal speech and its accompanying thought can be transmitted from place to place through the electro character of the wire and the earth currents as is witnessed in the common telephone service, and through the electro condition of the atmos- phere and the earth in wireless telephony. These experi- ments demonstrate that matter in all of its ordinary and elemental forms may become the vehicle of thought, since we note that not only the homogeneous structure of the wire, but the heterogeneous organization of the matter com- prising the the crust of the earth and the elemental forms of etheric substances, result simultaneously in the mani- festation of telephonic phenomena. If the Hebrew God has his chosen people, and the same God made the heavens and the earth and all of nature's combining principles, we would naturally conclude that only the Hebrew language would consistently be co-related to telephonic transmission; but we find by experiment that nature is so democratic in her gifts, that every language under the sun, and all com- binations of sounds, can be transferred across the continent without a sacrifice being offered to Yahve, from which we infer, that Jehovah was not consulted, when the prin- ciples of thought transferrence by telephone were estab- lished. With the wholesome feeling that all nature is co-operative and fraternal in her cosmic attributes, that she transmits the messages of saints and sinners with equal fidelity, let us examine brieiiy another department of her affinities, and see demonstrated how human thought ac- companying vocal speech are each affined to matter. The discovery of the Phonograph by Edison was a most impor- tant one, in the demonstration that not only sound as a Plate 7. CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 19I mode of motion had affinity for matter, but that thought, or the mental act of volition, was also affined to matter by this process. It must be remembered that words and letters, are only symbols of thought, so when we speak into the Phonograph or Graphophone, our vocal speech repre- senting our thought, is transcribed upon the surface of the blank Phonograph record, as an invisible mode of thought motion by sound. This sound of words in whatsoever language spoken, disturbs or induces a molecular change on the surface of the cylinder or blank record by the action or vibration of the "recording stylus." When the "repro- ' ducing stylus" is drawn over these impregnated lines of the recording stylus, we sense the phenomena of vocal speech and its accompanying thought. The phenomena of reproduction of vocal speech and its accompanying thought in this experiment, in many ways is analogous to that of the telephone in the transmission of vocal speech. Although theology has for many centuries affirmed that there were no relations or affinities between the composi- tion of the soul and matter, yet here we see demonstrated that every vocal expression of the soul of man does hold the same relation to matter as an invisible mode of motion, that all forms of matter hold to each other; and we fur- thermore sense that thought itself, has a place in nature's co-related affinities as an invisible mode of mental motion, not however as a designer, not as the product of an om- nipotent power, but as a record of speech and thought motion, capable of scientific verification, or demonstration. Since records of vocal speech and thought have been more or less successfully made upon tin-foil, zinc, lead, gold leaf, silver leaf, and several amalgams of these metals, also upon gutta-percha, parafine, and its several combinations with gum-shellac, also upon carbonized iron and steel, it appears that all forms of solid matter that possess fine molecular organization are capable of recording thought and speech 192 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. motion. Thus falls the claim and assumption of ecclesi- asticism and every other form of religious schism that "the soul of man bears no relation to matter" — "that it is some- thing entirely different from matter. " The greater truth is, that matter being the product of spiritual elements and forces, IS INFINITELY CO-RELATED TO ALL FORMS OF LIFE AND THEIR EXISTING SOUL PRINCIPLES. Regarding the formula by which the phonographic record is made, there exists a variety of opinions. The popular concept is, that the recording stylus or pen makes a peculiar impression on the parafine cylinder with the vibration of each word, and that these impressions vary in length and depth with each syllable of a word. This idea seems plausible since the cylinder has to be in rotation to produce this sound of words; hence there has been given the name of "Kinitic motion" as the process by which such impressions are made and recorded. However plausible this may seem at first view, it utterly fails to ac- count for a multitude of sounds made and recorded in the same space on the cylinder, in the same moment of time. For instance: A sound or note from a cornet five seconds or less in duration, will be inscribed on the cylinder in a line or mark of corresponding length, to the length of the note of the cornet. During that same interval of time, and occu- pying the same space in the line on the cylinder or record, a band of sixty instruments can be accurately recorded. As sounds are modes of motion which vary in length of vibration with the pitch of the tone, it will be seen that the tone of bass horns would require a .different Kinitic motion from that of a piccolo. To affirm that all of these varying modes of sound motion can be recorded by a single stylus in the same line and space, is contrary to the mathe- matics of the vibratory theory. In the midst of this con- flict between the science of sound vibrations and Kinitic motion, may we not suggest that sound as a mode of CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 93 motion induces molecular change in many ways analogous to that of color motion, as is noted in photographic im- pressions. This hypothesis being the true one, it will be seen that molecular contact and impress will account for these phonographic phenomena. It will be found upon close investigation, that all forms of impression and im- pregnation in nature depend upon molecular impact. Nature requires time and motion to express the dura- tion of sensory vibrations, but all sensory motions, are co- related molecular motions. How harmonious and grand, how rhythmic and sublime are nature's evolutions. What a realm of thought is awakened and aroused in human con- sciousness, as the liberated intellect of man turns his gaze towards the oncoming morn of intellectual truth. How this horizon of a new light dissipates the clouds of past errors, frees the mind from the hypocracies and night- mares of creedal superstitions, and reveals a radiant morn of progressive immortality. 194 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF CO- : RELATION TO THE PHENOMENA OF SPIRITUALISM. We have traced, thus far, the fact that all nature demonstrates that the co-relation of her forces lie behind, or are involved in, all cosmic phenomena. We have sug- gested that not a blade of grass can grow, a flower develop, a cereal grain mature, or any form of matter combine, without the assistance and support of nature s co-related energies. We desire now to point out the most important truth known to human consciousness on the records of time, that the phenomena of Spiritualism in all of its varied manifestations, like all other phenomena of cosmic forces, inheres in nature's sublime co-relations of spiritual and elemental forces. That the phenomena of Spiritualism, unlike the phenomena ascribed to religious mystery and miracle, do not depend upon the power, caprice or om- nipotence of some entity called God, but spring from the harmonious associations of nature's infinite and omnipotent energies. For this reason, if for no other, Spiritualism is entirely unlike all religions known, and for this reason if for no other, Spiritualism is demonstrated to be a cosmic truth. SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHY. The principles of Spirit photography are noted in the fact that in photographing the stars in our astronomical ob- servatories, that stars of small magnitude and satellites are frequently photographed in the nebula surrounding a star, which the eye could not see through the telescope. These phenomena are based upon the fact that the color motion of so high a vibration as to be beyond vision, is capable of promoting or inducing chemical action on the plate. This action of the invisible color motion of the star and the CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 95 reactions of the chemical structure of the plate develop the visibility of nebulous stars. Now this principle of the in- visible action and reaction of color motion is especially ap- plicable in all departments of photographic process. In common photographic portraiture, freckles and marks in the cuticle of the skin of the face photographed, which the operator cannot detect, are shown in strong relief in the negative and print. In the Radiograph — X Ray photo- graphy — witness the phenomenon of photographing the in- visible. The molecular co-relation of nature's forces being true in both opaque and etheric forms of matter, the possibility of photography in midnight darkness is easily demonstrated. As all spirit forms are of electro mag- netic composition, that such forms bear the same analogous vibratory relation to the sensitive film of a photographic plate that other forms of magnetic action do, will be seen to be a mathematical truth. The other fact that charlatans reproduce similar phenomena of spirit photography by various artificial devices and by intrigue, can in no way im- pair the validity of the principles we have alluded to, and spirit photography will be seen to be a fact based on the co-relations of chemical and magnetic re-actions, and hold- ing the same relation to cosmic process that all other phenomena hold. In connection with spirit photography is the oft ques- tioned phenomenon of materialization. Even among pro- nounced Spiritualists, the truth of spirit-materialization is questioned, and sometimes it is bitterly denounced. Yet no fact in nature contains so large an area of inductive evi- dence. Proof of this phenomenon has been sought too much in the field of mystery and the supposed power of the materializing spirit, and too little in the realm of nature's truths and her co-related forces. The human seems to be predisposed to accord to some miracle, the operations of nature, and to ascribe to some outside power every phe- I96 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. nomenon of cosmic process. The general public do not yet comprehend that all visible forms of matter are the re- sult of the combination of invisible elemental energies. When we speak of the evolution of water, the average thinker will admit that it is composed of two invisible ele- mental forces, but very few stop to consider that it is the life or soul principle of oxygen and hydrogen that enters into this combination. We are told with manifest zeal that oxygen and hydrogen are gases. It is true that chemists and physicists have given to these elements the name and properties of gases, because largely of their etheric gravi- ties; but who knows that the life principle of these elements is gas ? since all real gases are a compound, and oxygen and hydrogen are not a compound, the only character- istic they have of being a gas is their manifestation of etheric gravity. The growth of every tree, shrub, plant, flower or leaf, depends upon the impact of invisible elements and combinations of unseen forces. These processes of develop- ment, are processes of materialization, the method nature employs to promote visibility. In photographic art the de- velopment of the negative is a process of making visible the action and reaction of color-motion; in reality, it is :the formula of materializing invisible modes of color motion. The reactions of the chemical energies in the photographic film or coating upon color-motion, induce visibility as a result of these reactions. Let us suggest that the magnetic co-relations of a spirit form (as an intel- ligence) to the medium, and the magnetic aura accom- panying an assemblage of people, induce a materialization of the Spirit, not only sufficiently luminous to be photo- graphed, but sufficiently tangible to be plainly seen. In the manifestation of this phenomenon, the Spirit attracts out of the bioplasmic aura and the medium, those elements selective to its visibility. In electro-plating we witness the phenomenon of the CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 97 attraction out of the fluid containing some form of silver or gold, the silver or gold element, which to our vision is an invisible element, and we also witness the materialization of these nebulous elements upon the structure electro- plated. All materializations in nature are the direct result of a change of chemical spectrum; and this fact applies not only to Spirit-materializations, but to every process of growth and development in the universe. In photographic development, as in the materialization of those modes of in- visible motion reflected and impacted upon the plate which make the picture, the operator requires a dark room for those chemical reactions which change the chemical spec- trum from invisible motion to visible form. So, in an an- alogous manner, nature requires the dark chamber of night, where free from the positive action of light, she changes the chemical spectrum of vegetation, from the invisible im- pact of invisible elements, into visible form. In precisely analogous manner, the Spirit form is made save in this re- spect — the vegetable requires the action of light to impact the elements selective to its growth, whereas the Spirit attracts the aura selective to the promotion of its form, by magnetic attraction. Nature presents a wonderful uniformity of action in all of her processes of materializations, and the thinker will find that Spirit-materialization is in accord with these uni- versal principles; and these facts becoming known will make it impossible for the charlatan and perjurer in your materialization seances,, to practice his nefarious art in public. We have not time or space in a work for which this is intended, to give a scientific exposition of every phase of Spiritual phenomena, but the reader who studies closely the foregoing pages will readily comprehend that all true phenomena are within the pale of natural philoso- phy, and that to understand the order and character of any appearance in nature's order, we must understand under- I98 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. lying principles. But we cannot leave this important sub- ject without inquiring into the data of the spirit rap. THE SPIRIT RAP. Spirit raps are produced by the "make and break" of an invisible electro-magnetic current, projected upon any desirable surface. We must constantly bear in mind that all modes of motion in nature, are electro magnetic, by which we are to understand that electrical energy is the vehicle by which an impulse is transmitted, and magnetic individuality the promotor of the impulse. A close investigation of electro and magnetic physics will satisfy any investigator of the truthfulness of this statement. The electro-magnetic impulse of the atmosphere operates as an invisible mode of motion upon the barometer, indicating the character of the electro magnetic states of atmosphere. The action of heat is thus registered on our thermometers. Color motions of flowers and plants are thus registered in the respective chlorophyl of their organizations. The transmission of the rap of a telegraphic key is thus registered, and reproduced by the sounder of the key board at a remote station. The "make and break" of a telegraphic current by this formula of electro magnetic induction, registers in dots and dashes the symbols of the telegraphic alphabet. In an analogous manner and by the same formula of electro energy, a Spirit can and does produce raps. These spirit raps were known to the most ancient civilizations of Egypt, India and Persia, and were a factor of spirit communication in the earliest ages of antiquity. They did not assume however, their most signal importance until 1848, when at Hydesville, N. Y. , in the Fox family, their occurrence and manifesta- tions attracted the attention of the general public mind. It was during these investigations the discovery was made that the Spirit could both see and hear; and that it possessed a CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 1 99 knowledge of the individual lives of the Fox family that could only be known by an intimate acquaintance with the family. Consecutive questionings brought out the fact that when the Spirit rapped once, it was a symbol meaning "No" to the question asked. If two raps were given it meant "that the Spirit did not know." If three raps were made, it meant "Yes." Thus there was introduced "a primitive symbol method of raps," suggested by the Spirit communicating, which answered in a cogent and consistent manner the various questions which were asked by the many investigators who came to witness these phenomena. Not only were the many questions of the Fox family in- telligently answered, but those of neighbors and visitors coming from a distance, were answered in such cogency of manner, as to attract the wonder and interest of all who came to investigate. As the Spirit communicating could only reply by these symbols, to questions that could be answered by "yes or no," it was suggested that the letters of the alphabet be called over, and when the proper letter spelling a name or word was called, the Spirit should rap three times. Proceeding with this formula the name of Jacob Smith was spelled out, who was the grandfather of Mrs. Fox, and who, it was ascertained, was the communi- cating Spirit. By applying these symbols of "three raps," when the proper letter in the spelling out of a word was named, communications of considerable length were secured by many, relating to matters of importance, which were as consistently stated as though answered by an intelligent human being. An investigatiou of the phenomena of the raps with an intelligent Spirit, will satisfy any unprejudiced thinker that the symbols of "spirit raps" contain the same class of data of human communication by symbols, as that qualifying common telegraphy. In plainer language, Spirit- ual telegraphy by raps, is identical in method with that of electro telegraphy by the raps of the transmitting key. The 200 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. only difference being in the application and form of the symbol. Let us demonstrate this great truth. SPIRITUAL TELEGRAPHY BY RAPS IDEN- TICAL IN PRINCIPLE WITH THE RAPS OF THE TELEGRAPHIC KEY. The historical fact that commercial telegraphy was discovered and put into practice only six or eight years be- fore spirit telegraphy was established at Hydesville, N. Y. , will eventually be seen and understood as meaning some- thing more than a mere incidence in the evolution of the art of telegraphy, particularly when we recall that all com- munication between mind and mind, or consciousness and consciousness, is always carried on by symbols of sign or symbols of sound. The first telegraphic line in operation known, was established between Paddington and Drayton, England, in 1835. The first line in operation in this country was between Washington, D. C. , and Baltimore, Maryland. The Morse system of telegraphy was found to be the most effi- cient and desirable of any system then known, owing largely to the comparative simplicity of its printing mechanism, and the ingenuity manifest in the alphabet of symbols used. This system, however, did not come into general use until 1845. It was a combination of four dots and four dashes so arranged as to represent in a symbolic manner the let- ters of the English alphabet. Thus the letter A in the Morse system was represented by a dot and a dash, B by a dash and three dots, C by a dash and a dot and another dash and a dot, etc. But telegraphic operators becoming familiar with the sound of the recording stylus in receiving a message, soon learned to dispense with the re- cording apparatus, and to depend entirely upon the ear. Plate 8. COMMERCIAL TELEGRAPHY. CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 201 This custom introduced the acoustic system of telegraphy by sound. In this system the ear depends upon the order of articulation of the Sounder in its symbolic representa- tion of the various letters of the alphabet, which in reality consists of a succession of raps as the circuit is made or interrupted by the action of the key in the fingers of the operator. If we concede co-operation in the Spiritual world with the mortal plane, it will seem to many that the introduction of Spirit telegraphy by raps, so soon after the introduction by Morse of commercial telegraphy by sign, and soon after by sound, was a matter of arrange- ment in the Spirit world. Thus it would seem that Modern Spiritualism is the result of a combined effort of spirit in- telligences, to demonstrate their existence as a reality in spirit realms by that order of symbol communication that obtains between mortals on the earth plane. As we have before stated, all forms of communication between con- sciousness and consciousness whether by the symbols of sound or vocal speech, or by symbols of sign or written language, — the formula in either case is that of mental elec- tro induction. The raps of the telegraphic key or sounder when transmitted or received in the mental order of the telegraphic alphabet, are in accord with this order of intellectual association, because of the concise agreement of the thought received, with the telegraphic symbols. So, in precise agreement with this intellectual method, the Spirit-rap symbolizing or indicating the letters of the Eng- lish or other alphabet used in the spelling of a word, is also a formula of mental electro induction by sound, and there- fore is positive proof of an intelligent operator at the spirit end of the line of conscious association. A spirit sent us by these symbols, in 1881, the follow- ing communication: 1 'Your friend Happ passed into spirit life early this 202 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. morning, and you will get a letter asking you to officiate at his funeral." This communication was spelled out by raps on a table as I called the letters of the alphabet. My father, Henry F. Lockwood, was the Spirit operator, who rapped three times as the right letter was named in spelling out this communication. The following day at two o'clock in the afternoon, a telegram came saying: "Prof. Happ died yesterday morn- ing between two and three o'clock." Signed, A. Lobez. The same evening a letter was received from his wife, asking me to officiate at his funeral, which I did. Prof. Happ was a resident of Racine, Wis. , and the writer of this lived at Ripon, Wis. The two cities are about 120 miles apart. It is the manifestation of such phenomenon as this that verifies the utter failure of T. J. Hudson's theory of sub-consciousness to account for the facts of the spirit tele- gram by spirit raps, which were confirmed the following day by a commercial telegram. If the spirit telegram using the formula of symbol language and in strict accord with prin- ciples of mental electro-induction, can be postulated upon the theory of sub-consciousness, why cannot the com- mercial telegram which came a day later be proven by the same hypothesis as both systems of thought trans- ference are identical in method and in scientific agreement with symbol language by sound? It is the common occur- rence of phenomena of this character that not only attest the shallowness of sub-conscious theories, but demonstrate beyond the possibility of logical refutation, the fact that all mental realms are infinitely co-related, and that con- scious individual life survives the dissolution of the physical body. If the really earnest investigator of Spiritualism and its phenomena, would spend one-half the time in trac- ing scientific facts involved in the manifestations of its phenomena, that is spent by its opponents in an effort to CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 203 bolster up the wild vagaries of inconsistent zeal, the truths of nature's sublime order of co-related energies would not only free the mind from the fogs of theological supersti- tions, but it would qualify and fit the intellect for a deeper comprehension of the truth, that continuity of life is a cos- mic truth, a fact in nature's order of human evolution, the data of which is an established principle of greater impor- tance to humanity at large, than all the Bibles and specu- lative cosmogonies written by mortal pen. TRUMPET PHENOMENA. In the month of August in 1898 Mrs. Etta Wriedt, then of Buffalo, was holding Trumpet Seances at Lilly Dale, N. Y. , during the session of the Cassadaga Lake Free As- sociation. At a seance held on a Wednesday evening, Mr. E. Bennett of Buffalo who was present at this seance, re- ceived a communication from a spirit who on the earth plane was known as Jack Eagleton,who stated through the trumpet that he (the spirit of Jack Eagleton) had committed suicide by poison on the previous Saturday evening, and that he was at the time of this act in the Soldiers' Military Home at Dayton, Ohio. As Mr. Bennett had received a letter from Jack Eagleton written at New York only a few days before the time of the suicide, he believed the spirit com- munication to be fraudulent, and considerable controversy obtained at the time as to its veracity. Mr. Bennett to satisfy himself as to the integrity of this trumpet message, wrote a letter to Gov. Thomas of the Soldiers' Military Home and received from the Governor a telegram saying that Jack Eagleton had committed suicide by poison on the Saturday indicated in the trumpet seance. This telegram was handed the writer of this a few hours after it was received by Mr. Bennett, to be used as demonstrative testimony in any way the writer deemed proper. In Mrs. Wriedt's 204 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. seances, frequently the trumpet is heard in an opposite corner of the room from which Mrs. Wriedt is seated. In this phase of phenomena the method of communication is that of mental induction by vocal speech. The careful in- vestigator will have occasion to discern that all spirit phe- nomena rest upon the cosmic principles of nature's co-re- lated forces, and when seen or understood from this plane, they aie in accord with all phenomena of nature. SPIRITUALISM AND THE SOUL. Thus far we have traced briefly the co-relations of nature as applied to those processes called cosmical. In closing this treatise we feel that we can do no better service to our reader than to point out the fact that the develop- ment and evolution of the human soul is in concise agree- ment with those principles of nature which promote form and generate life in all of its multiform phases of existence. In tracing the development of the embryo in cereal embry- ology, we found that cereal life springs from the blending of the germinal centers, of ovule and vesicle, actuated into expression by the combined influences of soil with its com- pounds, and the atmosphere with its associated energies. Close investigation will discover that a very analogous process is involved in the development of animal life which springs from the egg or ovum. In the development of the chick we note the blending of the germinal dot with the processes of segmentation of the yolk of the egg, also, the de- velopment of the formative stripe into a spinal system with its attending and associated ganglia. In similar manner in the evolution of mammal life we note the blending of the male filament or spermatozoon into the female egg or ovum, in the formation of foetal or placental life. In this development of the mammal embryo, the relation of the CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 205 male spermatozoon to the female ovum as germinal cen- ters will be seen to be closely allied to the relation existing between the vesicle and ovule in cereal development, and to the germinal dot and yolk of the egg in the evolution of fish or chick. So in man the development of placental life from the interblending of the male filament with the female ovum is so nearly identical with that of mammalian types, as to indicate a universal principle in the formula of procreation. Indeed we may say that so closely allied and alike are these processes that it is difficult to trace special lines of demarkation between placental man, and several types of the lower forms of animal existences. Not only are the processes of development nearly allied, but the shape and form of foetal life of many animals up to a point of embryotic individuality, are so nearly alike that of man, as to require close investigation to determine which is mammal and which man. Not alone are these facts in evidence that man is not a special creation, but the entire evolution of the visible or- ganism of the human and his vascular system is in accord with the general principles of the evolution of mammal life. To affirm that some god gave to man a soul principle in accord to his own similitude, and to all other forms of life a soul principle in accord with some special cosmic process, is an assumption so careless and dogmatic as to be un- worthy popular credence. This assumption places a god in the position of a dispenser of souls. A soul suited to each organism whether weak, strong, rational, or idiotic, is measured out to fit the idiosyncrasies of human appetite and lust as nature reproduces in human form her weaknesses of physical character, and monstrosities of mental struc- ture, as an Omnipotent design, if this ecclesiastical dogma be true. What a business for a God of Infinite Intel- ligence to be in, — in real partnership with the igno- rance and lust and abnormal appetites expressed and 206 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. manifest in human generation. He seemingly is as willing to furnish a soul suited to the mental structure of an idiot, as to the intellectual fiber of genius. This criticism seems all the more terse when it is recalled that there must be polar affinity between the soul, and the organ- ism it develops or occupies, for without polar affinity there can be no combination in cosmic processes. The philosophy of Spiritualism demonstrates the fallacies of such opinions by calling attention to the fact that nature develops forma- tive or shaping principles which are the souls, or the real life energy of her forms. Where do these souls come from, you ask ? From the combination of the magnetic spheres of parental life. From the blending of the forma- tive life principles of spermatozoon and ovum, transmitted from parents to offspring during the countless ages of the past. Has my soul always existed, you ask ? Yes, but as a life principle only, as a formative or shaping energy, belong- ing to and qualifying every normal man and woman. This formative principle is stored up in the fecundating centers of human generation, and has always existed as a shaping soul principle in a manner analogous to the shaping soul principle stored in the ovule and vesicles of cereal life, or the germinal dot and yolk or ovum of animal existences. Spiritual evolution and cosmic evolution demonstrate that this principle of soul life is not only eternal in its past, but that it is capable of progression while in the earth form, and is also capable of transmitting this progressed quality to its offspring. Upon this basis of transmit- ted improvement of heredity, civilization depends for its progressive tendencies and accomplishments as the ages come and go. With weak and diseased heredity, civiliza- tions and nations fade and pass away. With strong phy- sical organisms, and high mental and intellectual endow- ments, society and civilization unfold a higher degree of art, a more intellectual life, and a finer perception of the CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 207 the possibilities of human improvement. Thus it is seen that the individual soul has its beginning as a formative shaping energy with the formation of foetal life, but the combined life energies which blend and unite their com- ponent factors in foetal development, have always existed as factors of life and individuality in the parental life of ancestry. This shaping soul force forms the body in keep- ing with principles of heredity, and associated environ- ments. The environing conditions of gestative processes are factors to be considered and understood in human evo- lution. Diseased conditions of either parent, or weak, en- feebled states make apparent the axiom that, '/like trans- mits and promotes like." The soul is like the associated environments in which it is developed. The body is the visible aspect of the soul's struggle to develop its habita- tion in its individual surroundings. From foetal life to in- fancy, from infancy to youth, and from youth to mature age, the soul grows the body. To this body the soul is affined during the years of its earthly development. The body is only a bioplasmatic scaffolding the tissues of which are inter-related and inter-traversed by ganglionic tracts of high electro tension, forming in the brain a sensory and motary system to which consciousness is co-related. The mental characteristics of brain ganglia do not terminate in the convolutions of the cerebrum, the cerebellum and the mediilla-oblongata, but extend their ramifications through the entire vascular system, connecting every gland and every process to the central thoroughfare of the spine, to the extent that it is impossible to touch the external epi- dermis or skin, or the internal organism without arousing electro reactions inducing conscious sensation. Between the ages of 45 to 55 years, the glands of the average human undergo a change. At this time of life the human does not breathe so deeply as in earlier years. The car- bon which is in the food we eat, is not thrown off by the 208 CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. action of oxygen of the atmosphere we breathe, hence car- bonic gas is carried to the blood, which coming in contact with the glands of assimilation produces in its reaction, atrophy of the gland, which slowly and subtlety change and modify its assimilative functions. This phenomenon is particular noticeable in the follicular glands of the hair, which being thus acted upon, do not assimilate the proper nourishment for the hair, hence it begins to turn gray. This truth applies with equal certainty to every gland of the human system — it is nature's way of preparing the soul to separate itself from the organism. The soul being the real entity that is evolved in man's earth life, and the body itself merely a bioplasmatic scaffolding though which the soul's growth and progress is made possible in its embry- otic state of earth gestation, the gradual shrinking of the physical glands of the body, is nature's own way to liberate the soul when she has prepared it for its birth in a new form of life of spiritual character beyond the dissolution of the physical body. Mid all of these changes from the blending of the spermatozoon with the ovum, during pla- cental gestation and its birth into the earth sphere, and during all of its changes and environments until mature years, we note only a cosmic process, in close keeping with all forms of bioplasmatic and vegetable life. To say that the gradual development of the human soul is unlike the evolution of other forms of soul and life principles, is an unwarranted assumption for which there is no proof. The philosophy of the variation of species in accord with en- vironments and climatic changes will account for the evo- lution from the homogeneous to the heterogeneous, but through every stage of this development we note only cos- mic processes. Man's soul is an evolution from nature's infinitude, and during all successive stages of the soul's progression there is no evidence that it depends upon any factor or power not belonging to cosmic art. Modern CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. 209 Spiritualism instructs this evolution of the conscious prin- ciple of man, because each succeeding stage can be verified, and because this evolution and progression is in scientific agreement with the fundamental principles of cosmic process. To affirm that man originated in other cause, or sprang from other source, is an unprovable and pernicious sophism. The spiritual nature of infinitude is manifest in the psychic character of her co-related forces and elements. This truth is sensed in the order and structure of her visi- ble factors which are eternally related by invisible modes of motion to invisible causation. These data of nature are the data of Modern Spiritualism. The progressive thought of this century recognizes the great possibility of these truths of nature as the foundation of a scientific demon- stration of continuity of life as a cosmic fact, and that an intellectual association between the mortal plane and a realm of life beyond the grave is a logical synthesis to these data. The philosophy of Modern Spiritualism as sensed from this view of nature and her co-related energies and forces, presents an intellectual formula of cosmos, and of the relation the mortal holds to it as a progressive soul entity. These truths of nature preceded the dreams of poesy and speculation of Oriental imagination, hence are older than ancient religions either traditional, oral or written. These principles of co-relation and progress in nature, are older than Bibles or any system of theology and theogony known to time. Before this planet swung in space these princi- ples of the infinite, these facts and data of continuity of life and the associations existing between all spheres were written upon the records of nature, but are yet unpreceived by the shrouded intellect of man. His impressable mentality, has made him the victim of designing greed and cunning duplicity. His wonder and native love of the mysterious, have been a barrier to his intellectual progress, and has peopled, his imagination with angry and revengeful gods, and merci- 2IO CONTINUITY OF LIFE A COSMIC TRUTH. less demons. His worship of these has consisted of mouth- ing supplication and ceremonial orgies, and although voiced in pillared sanctuary and embellished philactories, it has never changed the immutable order of nature. But the realm of conscious sensation is rapidly freeing itself from the superstitions of ancestral beliefs. The gods of human imagination are dead and dying; for a new light dawns upon the consciousness of man as the twentieth century appears upon the scroll of time. A mighty host of think- ers and philosophers of past ages are touching the expand- ing intellect of our time with the inductions of scientific truth, and before this truth the religions of the Orient and the sophisms of the Occident will fade from view, and the world's greatest wisdom will write in letters of love, * 'Be- hold the old hath passed away, and all things are seen anew" by the advent of science and Modern Spiritualism, which demonstrate that continuity of life and individual progress is a fact in nature's order of evolution, — it is a cosmic truth. Lockwood's Publications FOR THINKERS AND INVESTIGATORS. THE MOLECULAR HYPOTHESIS OF NATURE. A scientific demonstration of the invisible co-relations of cosmic forces as a basis for a concise presentation of the principles of Natural Philosophy and the premise of Modern Spiritualism and its phenomena. To the careful investigator this treatise contains a mint of valuable in- formation, establishing as it does natural data for the consideration of the philosophy of Spiritualism. Price, 25 cents. THE INFIDELITY OF ECCLESIASTICISM A MENACE TO THE AMERICAN CIVILIZATION. This brochure arraigns the entire hierarchy of Bcclesiasticism as Infidels^ who continue to subvert the scientific demonstrations of univer- sities and colleges by presenting as basic to good morals the phantoms of the Mosaic Hypothesis, all of which are shown to be inconsistent Oriental sophisms, inciting ignorance by appealing to faith, and inviting mental perjury by ignoring demonstrative facts. It is a hot shot. Price, 25 cents. HISTORICAL, LOGICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL OBJECTIONS TO THE DOGMAS OF REINCAR- NATION AND RE-EMBODIMENT. A concise and masterly review of the historical origin of Reincar- nation as an ancient dogma, together with its illogical claims, and un- philosophical assumptions. Its conflict with anatomical, physiological, and biological data, and opposition to the great principles of the "The Co-relation of Force," and "The Conservation of Energy." In this treatise Professor Lockwood dissects these ancient dogmas and presents their glaring inconsistencies. Price, 25 cents. THE SPIRITUALISM OF NATURE. A little pamphlet calculated to show that Modern Spiritualism has its basic principles in nature and her invisible modes of motion. The reader is taken into a new field of thought and fact in the investigation of Spiritualism and its phenomena. Modern Spiritualism is proven, not by the Bible, but by an analysis of nature's self-existent principles. Price, 15 cents. All of Professor I^ockwood's publications are on sale at The Progressive Thinker office, 40 i/oomis Street, Chicago, Illinois, and at the rostrum where he lectures. These treatises contain the wealth of a vast historical and scientific research. DEC 29 1902 PreservationTechnologie* D LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATIOh 1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA 16066 (724) 779-21 1 1 W&u