About fifteen years ago I commenced my investigations in occultism with the express intention and purpose and expectation of proving the phenomena had only an existence in minds being acted upon by, or acting under some hypnotic influence. As time went on and I saw and read more, I began to comprehend that the greatest intellects of modern times had wrestled with these questions and had given their verdict that this phenomenon was true. Although some of their experiences were very remarkable, and their reasoning from cause to effect most convincing, I found, in order to convince myself, I had to pass through similar experiences before I could accept and know their conclusions to be true. Having done this, I found other questions crowding upon me. I found a spirit force on the other side making strange predictions and these were later verified, not only to me but to others. I received through mediums communications from those claiming to be spirit guides, giving me warnings and advice which were exceedingly valuable. I found at other times, through the same sources, that positive promises of accomplishment would not be made, but assurances were given that that unseen band were there striving to help and that they would do all they could to grant the wish desired. I then questioned them as to what I should do in order to receive their best help, and the substance of their replies could be put into a few words - "Be patient - wait - trust."

After regular sittings with a select few with one medium for five or six months, and then with another and another medium for about the same time, I obtained some very valuable data concerning the rapid progress of some in spirit life to higher conditions, and of the power to bring in the aura of a mortal ancient spirits who also claimed to have passed through many incarna tions. These ancient spirits have brought to the circle an electric current of intensity, sometimes accompanied by a waft of cold air that would almost make every sitter shudder when it struck him. We learned that when these ancient forces were added to our bands, more power to assist in the accomplishing of purpose was given. Through some mediums we received from the ancient guides valuable counsel and advice, through others they came in materialized forms. One of these gave a series of talks and lectures on the power of thought to dematerialize, and to gather the atoms together again, reproducing flowers before us. In one cabinet two spirits have often come to me, and to this day do meet me there, both claiming to be planetary spirits, one from Mars and the other from Jupiter. At the same cabinet I meet whenever I go one who claims to be my wife's brother; and he tells me he has taken great interest in my investigations. He has told me that he, since going to the other side, has visited, on several occasions, both Jupiter and Mars. When I asked him for information concerning the people who dwell on these planets, he replied that this information he hoped to give me a little later. To use substantially his own words he said, "You cannot know what force we have to use to hold ourselves so we can appear and speak to you. As we repeat these manifestations we find we come with more and more ease and that we can say more. I expect in good time I will tell you fully of all my journeyings through the planentary world; and then you will better understand my work here, and how absorbingly interested I am in it all."

I finally determined upon a line of investigations quite different from that of any of the writers I have quoted - quite different from any experiments I had ever heard of. I arranged, through a private medium whom I found a most wonderful instrument, to have a series of regular weekly sittings at which only four persons should be present, the gentleman and his wife, my wife and myself, with the object to learn more in detail concerning the spirit world and how, if possible to avail ourselves of spirit help in daily life. More than seven years have passed since we started on these weekly sittings, and my notes now cover several thousand pages. Much of what these sittings have taught me I am not ready to give to the public as yet and shall not be for at least a year or two, as certain work is going on that it will take time to complete. When that work is accomplished, I will in a detailed way tell more of these sittings, their purposes, teachings and lessons. Suffice now to give a few experiences and some of the messages received, together with some pertinent suggestions as to, and on what I base the conclusions drawn from these and other of my investigations.

Practically it will be noted by the reader that the serious part of my work commenced after I had reached a point where my convictions were in harmony with those of the writers from whom I have quoted. Having proven that they who knew us here could come near us at will, after they passed over to the other side, and could look further into the future than we, I concluded their messages could assist in directing in the material and intellectual affairs of life. That through such assistance and guidance, one could be saved from many errors and strengthened often in times of need. I then devoted myself to the study of what was required of us on this side, in order to give our guiding band on the other the opportunity to reach our consciousnesses, so that we could receive the message from them and know the source from which it came.

Through repeated tests it was proven to me that there is a willing band of spirit helpers shaping our destiny by reaching out beyond our physical or mental range and bringing to us the aid we need to accomplish purpose. Over and over again was it proven to me that this force was the motive cause for the attaining of a cherished wish - for the complete fulfillment of a desire of the heart. So forcibly did the realization of this truth come at times, that I have found myself almost in amazement saying, why this force is what the devout have named God and to whom they pray! As my experiences went further, however, I recognized there were limitations seemingly of spirit power; and, like the great scientist, Herbert Spencer, I was forced to recognize that back of these spirit bands, ourselves, all life and creation, was a central power or force never compassed, never half comprehended - the Source of all. As I reflected on this and recalled how confidently many modern preachers referred to God's purpose, God's way, God's methods of reward and punishment, as if they could grasp the pulsating thought at the center of life, a clear light came, showing that according to his degree of unfoldment, man had mistaken from time to time some one of the spirit host for the Infinite himself.