The phenomena of Spiritualism, and the belief of the devotees of that religion are both expressions of the Law of Mentalism. It is the spiritualistic belief that at the death or destruction of the physical body, the Soul {mind) enters into space, and from that indefinite position, communicates with and influences Souls that are still attached to earthly bodies. It has been clearly demonstrated that messages have been received by the living, that had every evidence of having come from one who had departed from the body. These messages demonstrate the existence and life of the mind and intelligence after the destruction of the body. These Souls being invisible to the physical eye, make themselves known to others through the Law of Mentalism. That a Soul may communicate with the living, and in return receive messages from them, it must use the same means and the same process it used while on earth, otherwise its communications could not be recognized.

Mentalism is the Universal Law that governs all intelligence, and the transmission of the same from mind to mind or from brain to brain. The power of Mentalism is not limited by the narrow confines of this small earth, but is capable of traveling through illimitable space, and of influencing the inhabitants of other worlds also. The spiritualists use the same power in sending and receiving messages, that every man uses in communicating with his fellow men. They, however, select certain persons whom they call "Mediums" to send and receive messages from the Souls that have departed. These persons act in the capacity of operators in sending and receiving messages for others. This ability of the Medium is due to his great power of concentration; by it he is able to quickly tune himself in harmony with the Mentalism of Souls that are in and also those that are out of the body. This ability is not due to the spirituality of his nature, for, as a rule, professional Mediums are not noted for their spiritual development, the material elements being rather more in evidence. The Medium is simply the machine used in transmitting and receiving messages.

Spiritualists have laid themselves liable to much censure and criticism as a result of attributing to departed Souls all messages they receive. The reason for this is, that they have accepted in faith the statements and teachings of others in place of searching for the law that governs the phenomena. They constantly receive valuable messages from the living which lose their potency when credited to some departed Soul who knew nothing of the subject to which the message relates. If a Soul is capable of sending a message after leaving the body, it was capable of doing so while on earth. There is no logical reason for believing that any of the powers possessed by the Soul are curtailed in this world and given freedom for action after it departs from the body. It is self-evident that these powers are not restricted; if they were, the Medium would be unable to send and receive messages. Then there is no reason why one person (the Medium) should possess this power and others be denied it. There can be no such distinction or restriction, for the law that governs one man governs all humanity. Are not all men made in the image of their Creator? Then if I can communicate with man either in the body or out of it, other men can do likewise. Each and every man can and should be his own "Medium".

If the mind of man is capable of receiving a message from a departed spirit, or soul, it is also capable of taking a like message from the minds of other men. Then if we are capable of receiving a message, we can just as well receive it from a Soul imprisoned in a body, as from one that has passed over the border. This being so, who can determine which message came from beyond the border, and which from a mind still on earth?

Thoughts and messages never die. We know that the influence and thoughts of great men are equally as potent today, if not more so, than when they were on earth. I believe that most of the mistakes and errors made by spiritualists are due to attributing to the departed all the messages they receive, instead of giving credit to those of their friends who are in the flesh, and interested in their welfare.

Mentalism is the natural means of communicating one with another. It is the law by which thought (intelligence) is interchanged from mind to mind, (soul to soul). Mentalism proves conclusively the immortality of the mind. Mentalism is the law upon which spiritualism is based. Mentalism removes the mystery in which spiritualism has been shrouded. It draws aside the cloak that has been used by unscrupulous persons to deceive and defraud the public, and bring the name of the honest spiritualist into disrepute. If spiritualists would explain to the public that the phenomena in which they believe is caused by Mentalism, and that the communications they receive are from minds of people on this earth as well as those beyond the border, and also explain how every man is his own Medium, because the law that governs one governs all, they would exterminate every imposter who is using the name of Spiritualism with which to impose upon the credulous public.