sion pass without thanking the ladies for their efficiency in conceiving and executing the arrangements upon this occasion. It has been truthfully said that woman is first in every good word and work: it is certain that she was last at the cross, and first at the grave of the risen Saviour. Woman's influence has swayed specters, dethroned rulers, and ever exercises an uplifting, a healing, and holy influence. Though oceans roll between us, though mountains lift their hoary heads to separate us, I shall never forget the warmth of English hearts, nor the social enjoyments of English homes; and, though I should never meet you again face to face upon the shores of mortality, it is to me a beautiful thought, that I shall meet you, know you, and love you, in that world of immortality where farewells are never heard, and where friendships and soul-unions are eternal.'"

XXXIV

RETURN TO AMERICA

"Watchman, what of the night?

Lo! the morning cometh!"

"There is a tide in the affairs of men."

"My soul is stirred by strange forces; its waters are ruffled."

The banquet over, and hearty good wishes of his friends. recorded, Mr. Peebles now turned his face homeward toward his loved America. He felt that he had just concluded an important chapter in his life history. His own feet had pressed the soil of the old historic and classic lands, where the great poets, painters, sculptors and military heroes had left their record of great achievements. He had acquired many object lessons, which-no amount of reading could supplement, and his mental storehouse was so replenished that he might now become a far more useful and efficient teacher, both with pen and on the rostrum. But he realized that he had only broken ground on the borders of that historic and archiologic field which it was his purpose to more thoroughly explore in coming years.

After a rough and stormy voyage in the steamer "City of London," from Liverpool, Mr. Peebles arrived in New York on the evening of the 21st of June, 1870. The Spiritualist press of America welcomed his return. The Banner of Light, his old tried friend, said,

.." Mr. Peebles remained in London four and a half months, where he lectured on Spiritualism with marked effect; and much good will be the result. He will be warmly welcomed by his many friends on this side of the water. He left New York immediately for his home in Hammonton, N. J., where he will remain a week or two, and then proceed to

Washington on business connected with the government. It is Mr. Peebles's intention, we believe, to return to Europe at no distant day, there to continue the good work he has begun." Emma Hardinge immediately sent him the following kind greeting. She has since, with her husband, gone to London, further to perfect the work inaugurated there by Mr. Peebles and with vast success.

"CHICAGO, June 24, 1870. "MY DEAR FRIEND,- Accept my most hearty congratulations on your trip, its results, your safe return, and mental satisfaction with all that has passed. You have surely done a most noble work in my native country, for which God and angels will bless you. Long, long may you live to sow the seeds of spiritual truth."

Saddened over the suspended life of The Universe, but "patient in tribulation," ever preserving the equanimity of charitable fortitude, he went right to work again, after a few days' rest in his own home, with renewed energy and resolution. Westward, lecturing by the way in Milan, Ohio; in Battle Creek, he arrived at the quiet retreat of his friend, J. O. Barrett, in Glen Beulah, the last of July, for both rest and literary labors. "Rest?"- as well ask the ocean to rest under the Euroclydon of America's free air. Under the auspices of the Missionary Movement in Wisconsin, he was with J. O. Barrett at great mass-meetings of Spiritualists held in Manchester, Ill. and in the Wisconsin towns of Fond du Lac, Glen Beulah, Omro, Neenah, Fox Lake; and, week-evenings, lecturing in other towns on "Social Life in Turkey;" everywhere commanding popular patronage, and enforcing the truths of political and domestic liberty, and the spirituality of Spiritualism.

On the evening of August 14, during the mass-meeting in Omro, being then at the residence of E. Thompson, a circle was held, consisting of Mr. Peebles, Dr. Dunn, and J. O. Barrett; when the Indian Powhatan appeared with Dr. Schwailbach, Dr. Willis, and Michael O'Brien, each of whom entranced the medium, and spoke in his characteristic dialect.

Powhatan demagnetized the room, and introduced a spiritual atmosphere, hanging up magnetic curtains in the corners to protect "distinguished visitors" from mundane influences, and with great reverence ushered in "John," "Queen of Morn," and "Morning Star," whom he seated in magnetized chairs behind these invisible curtains. As usual, Aaron Nite was the speaker. That hour was hallowed. They said a council of many spirits had recently been held in their world to devise ways and means for the inauguration of a more "efficient system of culture" among Spiritualists. In the summary, they suggested two principles in the "social structure: "

1. That the basis be moral spirituality, as the fundamental force of education; to which Spiritual phenomena shall be simply incidental, as streams from its fountain.

2. That the outward sign and seal of such society, or system on union, be a declared disposition to attain such spirituality.

Following his successful labors in Wisconsin, Mr. Peebles went to Chicago, filling a monthly engagement, enforcing the ardent object of his heart,— the construction of Spiritualistic society upon a basis of moral and devotional culture; from Chicago to Battle Creek and Sturgis; and thence to Cleveland, and there, too, pursuing the same policy, that the gazing world may soon be gladdened with the better fruits of a more spiritual Spiritualism. Cleveland was his radiative point in all directions; lecturing nearly every week-evening, during the fall and winter months, in Norwalk, Ohio, Clyde, Kelley's Island, etc.

In January, 1871, by the urgent request of the parties concerned, Mr. Peebles entered into the editorial copartnership of The American Spiritualist with Hudson Tuttle, A. A. Wheelock Managing Editor; hoping, as he says, "to aid that faithful organ in its great struggle for the position it deserves." It bears the imprint of his great love-nature, taking broad and fraternal ground with The Liberal Christian, The Index, The Radical, and public organs and speakers and mediums that have hearts as offerings for humanity.

The following incident, appearing in his editorial column, contains so fine a moral recommendatory to fidelity with all reformers, we insert it :

"An amusing scene occurred the other Sunday evening at our Spiritualist meeting in Cleveland. Reaching Lyceum Hall, a gentleman said to us, 'A lady has gone into the hall after you in great haste.'-Ah! any one sick or dead? '— 'No; but Mrs.- wants you and your audience to adjourn, and go over in a body to the Universalist meeting in Garrett's Hall.' Entering Lyceum Hall, we saw our excellent sister a firm Spiritualist — zealously engaged in persuading Spiritualists to leave their meeting, and attend that of the Universalists. Some had left. At length, approaching, she pleasantly urged us to dismiss our meeting, hinting that it would necessarily be very slim,' and all go over and hear Mrs. M. A. Livermore preach a Universalist sermon. Our comic side was touched. The missionary business is ever in order; but for a Spiritualist to serve as a missionary for recruiting a sectarian church finds its parallel in the man who 'put a penny into the urn of charity, and took a shilling out.'

Taking our seat upon the rostrum, wet and drizzling as was the weather, we found there were a hundred and seventy present. When rising to speak, the number had increased to over two hundred. Voting is testing. We asked all who favored adjourning to Garrett's Hall to rise: not one arose! When ready to commence speaking, there were full three hundred present. The lecture finished, Mr. Lawrence, a firm and consistent Spiritualist, rising, and making some very happy remarks, complimenting the assembly for their adhesion to principle, and the speaker's good sense of propriety, asked such as approved of the lecturer's course to rise; and, with the exception of something like half a dozen, the entire audience rose to their feet, and rose too, with a right good will. It was a complete triumph for consistency, decision of character, and fixedness of principle."

After canvassing the treatment which several Universalists received from their sect, and the creedal basis of their belief,