"BATTLE CREEK, June 16, 1865.

"My more ancient spirit-friends have kept me among the rubbish of old historians with reference to the ancient civilizations, say twelve and fifteen thousand years ago..

...

"I am crowded with business, so crowded that I know not which way to turn. During last week, I had invitations to attend four grove-meetings (Dewitt, Charlotte, Livonia, and one in Indiana). I refused them all, and also a pressing invitation to attend the two-days' anniversary in Sturgts this week, - Saturday and Sunday. Must write, instead of tramp, tramp, so much!

On the Fourth, I deliver an oration in Laphamville, Mich.; am also urged to give a temperance address in Valparaiso, at a festival. There's no end to these calls. I should like to be in the spirit-world, and have about five mediums to control; think I could keep them all busy, after getting the 'hang' of the machines."

.. "I like some of Dr. C. A. Andros's spirit-controls much. One, an ancient Jew, is keen and sharp as steel, and he fairly got the better of me on one point in an argument."

"BOSTON, MASS., Monday after Convention

at Providence, R. I.

"Am weary and worn out, tired of shaking hands, tired of being on committees, tired of talking, and sigh for the quiet of a pleasant old pine forest. The convention was a great success; you ought to have been present. It accomplished much. Report will be in the Banner. . . . The convention was high-toned. Father Pierpont, presiding, was in his glory. He has since gone to glory! Dear saint, he: I loved,- still love him."

"WORCESTER, Aug. 23, 1865.

"I have visited my dear parents, spending several days, and shall go again. Father is feeble. . . . I am with Dr. O. Martin, where I always enjoy myself gloriously. He is my cousin. I began to read medicine with him. His garden is full of pears, reminding me constantly of Brother Nite; his house full of books; he has always a seat for me in his carriage.

He has removed the obstruction in my ear, just forward of the tympanum, with an instrument and by syringing with warm water, so that I can hear all right. The doctor knows something; but I would give anything to have Dr. Schwailbach take him down the banks' medically - just once. . . . Next Sunday I am to speak in Plymouth, ever memorable as the landing-place of the Pilgrims. It is the Mecca of the Congregationalists."

"BATTLE CREEK, Dec. 20, 1865.
Home at last; dearest spot, too.

God bless you, preserve you,
You are my soul-brother. I

Found your letter awaiting me. and angels hold you in charge! love you and can not help it; hence there is no merit, is there? Wish you were here to lay hands' on my weak eyes; that would test your apostleship. They are some better, however. You say 'rest, rest.' Dear brother, there's no rest this side the grave. Calls and correspondence are continually widening. How true, 'Life is real!' My unseen angel and inspiring influence tell me, that we have yet a work to do in concert: I believe it."

"BATTLE CREEK, Aug. 3, 1866.

"The State Convention passed off finely. Finney, Whipple, Jamieson, Wodsworth, Barrett, Wheelock Harrison, Andros, were present as speakers; and all spoke well. Being sick, I rode down to every session, and sat in a rocking-chair. I fully appreciate what you say about my body's being frail and tender. More and more I am conscious of it; and I tell you, it is not worth 'fussing' with much longer. Only think, forty-four years I have borne around the shell. It's about time I 'kicked' out of it. Only the consideration of work undone reconciles me to patch up the frame and tarry."

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WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 18, 1867.

"Last week I went to the President's reception; shook his hand. To-morrow, I go to his residence with Major a friend at court, to spend a couple of hours in conversation. Senators, and more or less members of the lower house, attend. our Sunday meetings regularly. Ross, chief of the Cherokees,

called on me night before last. He brought with him 'Bushy Head,' and another Indian chief."

Jordan,

"BATTLE CREEK, April 19, 1867.

I shall expect to edit a paper for earth, when I cross why not? . . . I went to Chicago the first of this week sent for in haste-to be a pacificator. They are all in a 'mux' in The Spiritual Republic. Poor Frank L. Wadsworth!"

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"DETROIT, Aug. 13, 1867.

Sunday evening, after I was through speaking in

Detroit, I was so weak my lungs sore - I could hardly get home to my room. It annoys me, because I will not be able to do much, or say much, at the Cleveland convention. Already I have received several letters, asking me to frame certain resolutions, and put forward certain matters of importance. These conventions are far below my ideal.”

"BATTLE CREEK, Oct. 22, 1867.

"Am engaged 'packing up' for Hammonton, N. J. Out into the world! It chills me. I go West to-morrow; first to Springfield, then to St. Louis. . . . Have had a good time speaking here this month. Sunday evening they could not all get into the hall. Had I been a stranger-speaker here, it would have been natural enough; but living here largely for eleven years, and speaking so much, it seemed good-or queer. The work broadens. Where is the end? . . . Some time in December next, the young men (Unitarians) of Meadville College want me to come and give them a course of lectures on Spiritualism. . . . Say to Brother Nite that he will post himself in regard to Zoroaster. I propose to ask him to let his light shine."

"BUFFALO, Dec. 7, 1867.

"Christmas Eve, I am to marry a couple in Boston; Christmas Day, the spirit-artist, N. B. Starr, comes to meet me. Next day shall be in Banner office, settling up year's account. Friday eve, lecture before the literary society in Ashland. Sunday, speak in Taunton. New Year's, in New York; marry a couple there,- Dr. M. H. Houghton to an interesting lady of Ver

mont. Mr. Houghton now is a Universalist pastor. Then to Hammonton, N. J., to see family; and thence to Washington for a month. So I go through the world, writing on the wing." "DETROIT, Feb. 6, 1869.

"Am in the midst of a spiritual revival. The Lord is on the 'giving hand.' Our choir is magnificent,― congregational singing. Read a service from the Harp, morning and evening. It is beautiful."

It is a spiritual law, that whom we defend in adversity we love. There is a place in our brother's soul for the names of Charles A. Hayden and Herman Snow. Speaking of them in a private note, Mr. Peebles says:

"Brother Hayden, good and aspiring. It is noble in him, or any young man or lady, to seek the advantages of scholarship. The shield of character is all the tougher for some shafts of scorn. . . . We have bled in the same cause. . . . And there is Brother Herman Snow,- brother of our Lyceum sister, Mrs. J. S. Dodge, of Chelsea, Mass.,— once a Unitarian clergyman, now a Spiritualist of practical good sense. . . . We have fought in the same army, under official commissions from the angels. Up there, I shall be a witness on the defensive when the celestial court tries him! And this will be my plea: Worthy of admmission, for he belongs to the divine church of humanity, having prayed in deeds of love. Let him in, Brother Peter!""

"BOSTON, June 4, 1869.

"Why don't you write an editorial in The American Spiritualist defensive of the poor Indians? See Hudson Tuttle's late article. Let us have all sides of the question. The Indians are God's natural children, and my brothers. They are fading away, however, as the red sunsets of autumn."

"LOWELL, MASS., May, 1869. Sunday in Lowell, city of spindles! Had a good meeting. Saw your friend, S. W. Foster. . . . I am more and more interested in the Shakers: they are so quiet, unassuming, neat, and pure-minded. They are all Spiritualists. . . . I pray God to keep me out of the lower strata of Boston magnetism.

Oh, I look beyond for my support! and find repose, as J. H. Powell so gracefully says, in his 'Life Pictures':

"In bowers of God, where the citron and pearl,

Coral and crystal, diamond and beryl,

Passion-flower, pride of the spirit! and rose,
Gleam in a glory for ever that glows,-

Bright angels are waiting with love in their eyes;
Waiting for thee,

Where cedar and myrtle and lemon arise,

Under deep azure and gold-gleaming skies;

Waiting and singing, gayly and free,
Waiting for thee.'"

What is the power that enables a frail mortal to accomplish so much? Some of the best and most enduring work performed by our brother was while he was physically feeble and much prostrated. It was then, however, he felt most tangibly the uplifting power of his invisible helpers.

6

"ST. LOUIS, Dec. 16, 1869.

"FRIEND JOSEPH,-Оn thy forehead the angels have written the words, True and faithful. The world is full of good men, good women. Why did you send me that proof just now? My inspiration is at a low ebb. Each has at times his Gethsemane. Just at present I am under a terrible crossfire from the East and West, because of my articles defending the Indians. Kansas Spiritualists think my charity for the Indians is in excess of my justice or wisdom. There is seemingly a legion of Indian spirits about me now. They are to me physical life. . . . Have the within Memorial' in behalf of the Indians filled as soon as you can, and forward to Washington."

The battle of life, in a majority of cases, must necessarily be fought up hill. To win the victory without a struggle would be to win it without honor. While difficulties intimidate the weak, they act only as stimulants to men of energy and resolution. A whining shiftlessness is absolutely despicable! Give us a stirring demon in preference to an easy, slow, sluggish, self-righteous saint.