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No 1.—Vol I. JULY, 188 K One Tonny.

beliefs of .any man or sect of men ; but simply give

THE SEEK to the world what we may have to impart, leaving
JND CELESTIAL REFORMER. results in His hands, to Whom wc arc accountable.
JULY, 1SS4. Instead, therefore, of finding fault with this or that
creed or dogmas, let it rather be our endeavour to
INTRODUCTORY. prove the superiority of our own creed by living better J
and more useful lives, as such would be more to the
It is to the "British and Foreign Society of Occultists"
point than useless.displays of literary dexterity in hair- .
that we dedicate this our little monthly. As it is to
splitting; for that is the good tree which brings good
the liberality of this grand Brotherhood that our paper
fruit, and it is by the fruit the tree is known. " For it
owes its existancc, it may he briefly slated that the
is not eve-yonc that saith, Lord, Lord, that shall enter
object and aim of this Order is, " I'caco on earth and
into the reward ; but he that docth the will, of the
good will towards men, and Glory to God in the
Father."
Highest." The teachings ol this fraternity arc of two
kinds: Esoteric or secret, and Exoteric or what is for
publicity. Hence the principles advocated in this THE ETERNITY AND UNIVERSALITY
paper may be looked upon, in the main, as the princi- OF IDEAS.
ples of the above Society- There is not an idea, however new its claim, but •
The size of our paper will contrast but poorly with what antedates its supposed birth. For what is
those bulkier penny journals which are issued weekly universal must be eternal, and vice vena. At least, so
and monthly by wealthy and enterprising pubhshers, far as our powers of comprehension carry us. But
nevertheless, we indulge ourselves with a hope that the universality of ideas docs not imply that such
we may be able to compensate in quality for what have existed from eternity in their present developed • "
now appears lacking in quantity. In the meantime, condition. Not at least such as we may now find •
we promise a larger edition when subscribers will put them in their materialized forms, clothed in the words,
us in a position to do so. We have much to bring works, and deeds of mankind. An idea is a'power,
before our readers which we think cannot fail to be but not before it be formed and verified by something
interesting, and in many cases instructive, to a very greater than itself. This something lies deep down
numerous class. As there are in the present day tens in that nature called human. This something is'a L "
of thousands of thoughtful persons, whose highest divinity. This divinity extracts, it risodifies,it <
pleasures are derived from assurances of the great manipulates. Yes, and what is greater still,'.this .•
beyond. divinity creates. Thus it is that originally all'ideas v
All religions, and every creed, recognizes the being are developed from those mysterious depths^ .depths v .-
of a God, the immortality of the soul, and a future that have hitherto been unfathomed, and wU. jrdye "
state. These are also our basic truths, as these con- unfathomable for ever. And it is'OUt of these'depths' • . '
tain all the material we shall ever require for present that ideas have been projected in materialized'1^ni)i.
speculation, and for future elaboration. It is not our partaking of all the shapes which:-Accost
intention to make or meddle with the conscientious senses. When a man has conceived a'n • ^
 The Seer and Celestial Reformer

to him a new creation, but unless the same becomes thing, omnipresent to sec everything, and omnipotent
materialized, taking upon itself some familiar form, to do everything. This Being is the source and ccnirc
such as a book, some mechanical contrivance, or some of the ideal. He is the everlasting home of the ideal,
work of art, it has no existence to anyone else save to by Whose mandate ideas leap into eternal forms, and,
its possessor, but as soon as it appears in material again, when their outer mission is fulfilled, they return
mould it becomes a recognized reality to all; although to Him.
it was as real in its ideal form as in its new garb. He is the absolute One, who is the Alpha and
Yes, and a thousand times more so, for the natcrial Omega of all and everything. But we finite beings
form, however perfect, is nevertheless doomed to must deal with what we may to some extent be in a
change and destruction, but the idea lives on, and on, position to understand; we must therefore come
through eternal ages. For to invest an idea with nearer home to note in the next place
material form is but the work of the human brain, THE UIRTII OF IDEAS.
but the completeness of an idea is something greater To understand this matter, let us ask ourselves
and far more sublime, the following question; How did my mind become
IDEAS LATENTLY CONSIDERED. possessed with a certain idea? Some of these
As before hinted, we do not suppose that ideas of arc traceable to books we may have read, or to y
all and every thing were perfected as we now find something we may otherwise have seen or heard,
them, from eternity, but simply this : that such existed or in some way been brought into contact with things
from eternity within the dominion of the possible. under such and such circumstances. We know there
To illustrate this we will refer the reader to that most is a class of philosophers who would have us believe
active element known as fire. Every substance con- that all our ideas are derived through the use of the
tains fire, hence we say. fire is universal. Yet fire, as five senses acting upon external nature, or vice versa.
a universal clement, in its latent state, is not like unto Such teachings are in keeping with that creed which
fire such as we utilize for household purposes. Fire would limit our term of existence to the present life.
before development exists latently,' but after develop- But such will scarcely harmonize with the conviction
ment it exists actively. Before development il existed ol those who look for a continuation of life and
as a possibility, hence, we being conscious of this, consciousness, under conditions far more favourable,
may venture to say, that it is possible to extract fire than the present. For if all depends upon the use
from the rock, by striking the rock with a substance of our five senses, what becomes of that little infant
as hard, or even harder, than itself. - In jhe same way of only a few days old, or even of that little one who
water, which is a less active substance than fire, may only opened its little eyes, then closed them for ever ?
be evolved by the combination of certain gasses in How is that little soul to become possessed with those
right proportions. But if we were to seek for the idcus with which our immortal homes are to be fur-
water in any one of these gasses apart from the other, nished, and which are in fact the food of the soul ?
we should not find il. Again, salt may easily be The senses of the babe were of no use so far as we
developed by combining a strong acid with an alkali. can see; they did not serve him any more than if
Yet salt could not be found in the acid or alkali apart they never existed. Hence, if the babe lives the life
from each other. Thus, to develope fire, there must immortal—which we know full well il docs—that life
be something outside and apart from the rock, and this must be a life of love; and this cannot be
must come in contact with the rock in order to induce without the ideal. But, as we before remarked, that
the development of fire. • . in order to develope fire from the rock there must be
It is even so with ideas before their evolution into friction, even so before an idea can be generated by
symetrical entities, and thus forming the food and us, its possessor must have come in contact with some
sustenance of immortal beings, they then simply other entity. For there is always something besides
existed latently, or in the domain of the possible. the vie. Such we are concious of, and it would be
Hence it is we are brought to the conclusion, that a species of insanity for us to argue to the contrary.
however great the ideal, there is something yet greater, For'I cannot be conscious of myself without at the
and which exists above, below and beyond all and same time thinking of something that is not myself.
everything coming within the category of the ideal. On this outer plan of existence we come in contact
This which antedates the ideal comprehends the with verdant mountains, flowery plains, crystal streams,
whole, yet is Himself incomprehensible. This grand, and gigantic forests. But we never identify ourselves
this August Being, concerning Whom the sons of men with these objects. We ever look upon ourselves
prattle so irreverently, is omnicient to know every- as being apart from these. VI am not that thing I now
 The Seer and Celestial Reformer.

see or contemplate." Tims it is we arc capable of noise would be consistent and in keeping, but looking
contrasting ourselves with other beings. Hut what is upon him as a spiritual being, in the light of an ever
it that thus contrasts ? It is not these eyes that arc opening eternity, noise is inconsistent. To see this
said to see, it is not this brain which is said to think, mailer in its true light, we propose to ourselves the
It is the /, it is the immortal ;//«•, that makes these following question : Can materialistic noises do any-
comparisons ; and as this /, this ;//<■, which, after all thing likely to advance or elevate the true man who is
is even now beyond the ken of fleshly eyes, can now do immortal? We do not in this place pour contempt
such things, may not this same Ego be able to come upon those rational agencies now in use, by which the
into contact with mountains, hills, rocks, rivers, and mind is improved and the soul enlightened. The
plains, without the exercise of the five senses ? Yes, pulpit, the platform, and the press, arc daily and
verily, we know that they do, from the fact that some weekly sowing precious seed, the increase of which
can see independently of the eye of flesh, some can will afford a very long rcaping-day. llul the question
hear without the use of the outer acoustics, some can iSj arc we right in attributing all the good supposed
write and talk upon subjects which their brain had to be due to these outward agencies ? and is it to
never been familiarized with—and such eases are not such that we arc to look for the dawn of that day:
few or far between. e therefore consider the one the restitution of all things ? Do we not form too
great fact our sheet anchor, and capable of saving high an estimate of these outer instrumentalities ? We
us from drifting upon the rocks which abound in that arc not, it is true, in a position to dispense with these
ocean which each of us is embarked upon. We have ^ agencies altogether; yet, what we desire to point out
at this time ideas which nothing in this world is is, that there is something more powerful than all the
capable of imparting. Yes, all of us, as spiritual outward eloquence of the pulpit, the platform, or even
entities, arc daily and hourly coming in contact with the instructive and educational tendencies of the press,
other entities, besides those old familiar scenes, and Ministers of the Gospel tell us that it is by the rather
those old familiar faces. In the hours of sleep, when complicated machineries of an ecclciaslical character
all is still, and nature shuts us in from the busy scenes that the world is to be reformed. The politician, that
of outer life, we, the immortal we, is even there in the it is by the passing of good measures in parliament, or
fulness of activity, mingling with its kindred. The congress, the world is to be put right. Yes, and some
man who denies the immortality of himself and his arc so far. deluded as to suppose that rcd'handed
race, does this. The man who, when awake, will say, murders will do the deed. But we consider thai
there is no future, yet, when asleep, his scepticism ecclesiasticism has tried its hand for a term of years,
sleeps with his poor brain, he is then awake to see to convince the most sanguine advocate of that order
the stern realities of the spirit world. His spirit that such is a hopeless experiment. The politician
comes in contact with spirit as his material organs ano -Vie social reformer in like manner have experi-
come in contact with the material universe. mcntcd sufficiently as to make the rather gloomy
We must conclude our subject for the present, but discovery, that the power put forth is inadequate to the
will resume it our next. amount of work to be realized. As for those who'
seek to terrorise mankind by the use of life-destructive
THE SILENT REFORMATION. agencies, these arc most decidedly unworthy of the
This is a noisy world; our locomotives, in their name of men, much less that of reformers. As refor-
hourly transits along their iron roads, are attended malion is not destruction, you are not supposed to
with their own peculiar, but now familiar, noises, kill a man in order to make him better. But, listen
Our large manufacturing establishments are vibrated t0 this. ye who put your trust in outward agencies, and
with their monstrous din ; our streets and thorough- who delight in pomp and outward show: "The king-
tares giye forth their daily tribute of noises; the dom of heaven is within you." This is a recognized
animal creation make their accustomed noises, either fact throughout Christendom, that this kingdom of
as being the result of emptiness and hunger, or of heaven, as the principles of heaven, is now within,
fulness and joy. Mankind partaking of much more No man or angel put it there, nor is it in the power
ofthc animal than the angel (at least in his undeveloped of man, devil, or angel, to take it from there. But
state), is not far behind the brute creation in making this glorious image is covered with what now darken
noises. Hence mankind have got it into their heads our prospects in time and eternity. What we want is
that noise of some sort or other is essential to progress, the removal of the stone from the door of the
and that to be social or civilized is to be noisy, sepulchre, and a Lazarus will come forth. The
If man were but a machine, or even an animal, covering must be removed before we can see.the
 The Seer and Oelestial Reformer

"king in his beauty," "and the land, that appears The celerity with which he wrote some of his greatest
so far off." Listen again to this, all ye who delight in works has led to the inference that he wrote, as did
noise and clamour: "He shall not strive or cry, Schubert, under immediate influence of inspiration,
neither shall he lift up his voice in the street," &c. and it is difficult to examine his MSS. carefully
This prophecy had its exponent and fulfiller in Jesus without coming to the conclusion that they were
the Christ, who, very unlike the men of his day—more generally, if not always so composed.
especially the Pharisees, also the formalists of this day, W. A. MU/.art.
between whom and Jesus there is a wide disparity,
He never did anything to attract attention, nor did he A STRANGE DREAM.
ever evince a desire for a transient popularity. When The following we have received from a lady, and
he did a good deed it was often accompanied with bears upon that wonderful meteoric display in South
this injunction : " See thou tell no man." Well, then, Wales, a rejjort of which appeared in the Times and
such being the case in the life of this matchless one, several other papers some months back : —
we arc led to conclude that there arc other forces " Some few months ago I had a dream which was
besides the recognized institutions of men, from whose most vivid. I saw standing the form of an angel,
divine and secret operations we are to look for the and holding in his hand a large glass ball; he threw
great reformation and the restitution of all things. the ball to the earth, and then a sccgnd ball was
Now the agencies of all agencies arc the spiritual, and thrown, broken into thousands of pieces. The next
these arc not noisy. These sublime influences do not day in the newspapers appeared the startling phe-
resemble the earthquake, the thunder, the tornado, nomena in South Wales respecting the two balls of
but rather the small, still voice, Lock at those count- fire that struck the earth. It was described exactly
less objects of life which constitute the vegetable as my dream appeared to me.
kingdom; those millions grow without any noise. *• L. I. G."
When there is any noise in nature, there is disin-
tcgreration ; such a noise is, in fact, but the knell of NOT DEAD.
some portion of matter going to distruction, such Am.ong some extracts from the Princess Alice's
noise is the knell of departing life on a large scale. letters in the Fire Side Nnvs I find the enclosed which
But such is not the case with life and growth : this I think may interest your readers : —
grand work goes on in silence. " One of the Princess* little children was killed by
\To be continued?^ falling from a window, and the Brother, his little
companion, missed him sadly and was very lonely,
Sketches ol Great Musicians. Ko. 1. he came to his Mamma one morning and said to her
4
HANDEL 1 had a beautiful dream; shall I tell you ? I dreamed
Born Feb. 2jrd., 16S5. Died April ijtn.. 1739. I was dead and gone to Heaven, and then I asked
Great contrapuntists are not always composers of God to let me have Frittie again, and he came to me
the hig-hest order, though it would not be difficult to and took my hand, you were in bed and saw a great
disprove the converse of the proposition. Counter- light and were so frightened, and I said 4 It is Ernie
point is to music what scholarship is to literature. and Frittie,* you were so astonished. The next night
Valuable, nay, indispensible as it is, it will no more Friitie and I went with a great light to sisters."
make a tone-poet than purity of diction will make a E. J.
dramatist. The secret of Handel's true greatness
is revealed in the dignity of his conceptions, the NOTICE.
collossial scale of the grand choral structures, the The Seer and Celestial Reeormer is published
accuracy of his delineations of character, feeling, Monthly, and will be sent post free to any address
passion, and expression of every kind, The l^ws of for one year in return for a remittance of One
counterpoint are the dry bones unto which genius Shilling and Sixpence. Single copies post free at
1 J^d., each.
breathes a living spirit. And it is precisely because
Subscriptions are received, and copies supplied by Mr. John
Handel infused the spirit of his genius into his works Thomas, Kingsley, by Frodsbam, Cheshire.
so perfectly constructed : his learning was so great, Orders, remittances, and letters for the Editor
and his feeling so intense; because he dreamed such to be addressed to the Editor, The Skkr, c/o J. J..
glorious dreams, and translated them into the purest Morse, 20 i, Euston Road, London, N.W.
language of art, that his music, after a lapse of 130
years, strikes us as less " old-fashioned " than many Printed and Published for the Proprietor by J. J, Morse, at
compositions written no more than 20 years ago. 201, Custon Road, London, N.W.
 PUBLISHED POST FREE

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But is this the only solution that human ingenuity

THE 8EEH may be capable of offering ? Our inquisitive propen-
4ND CELESTIAL REFORMER. sities, at least, are scarcely satisfied, as we consider
AUGUST, 1884. there are other reasons far more satisfactory, although
neither reason may be sufficiently conclusive so as to
We wish to apologize to our readers on account of lay claim to an absolute certainty. Nevertheless, it is
several inaccuracies having crept into our first issue incumbent upon rational beings to take the strongest
owing to unavoidable delay necessitating too much proofs as their guide in all matters where absolute
hurry at the last moment. We shall strive to be more proof may not be possible of attainment. We will,
careful in future. therefore, try this matter as best we can at the bar of
reason, and do so as impartially as may be possible for
We also earnestly entreat our readers to do all they us to do under the circumstances.
can so as to augment the number of subscribers. The It very often happens that an inventor who may
outlay is not much, please do what you can in this have successfully brought out some new design, and
respect who, when about congratulating himself upon his good
fortune and brilliant prospects, suddenly, and to his
We are pleased to state that we have received
several ■ encouraging letters from men of learning, as amazement, finds a paragraph in a newspaper some
morning making the announcement that a Mr. So-and-
well as from ordinary readers.
so has just brought before the public the same thing,
with the exception of minor differences in matters ot
THE ETERNITY AND UNIVERSALITY detail. And yet both men lived far apart, nor had
OF IDEAS. they ever exchanged thoughts by letter or by convcr- /. v
Chapter II. sation. Of course, our literary men have got a very
convenient way of disposing of such an incident: it is
SIMILAR IDEAS MET WITH IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
all contained in one word, u Coincide nee." This word
AND HOW ACCOUNTED FOR.
sounds well, there is a degree of smartness about it,
It has caused considerable perplexity among literary and more than all, it is a very fashionable term. But
men upon their meeting with evidences proving, beyond what does it explain ? Nothing I ' Absolutely nothing
a doubt, that the very same ideas abounding in the so- beyond this: that you are told that one case did happen
called civilised countries of the west ruled and regu- at or near the same time as the other, and this we
lated the mind and morals of mighty monarchies long knew before. So we go away with the satisfaction of
before the birth of what is called authentic history. knowing that we have had the very best elucidation
The only solution authors appear capable of offering our teachers were capable of giving, and the gist of all _
by way of accounting for this seeming anomaly is, that is couched in a very pleasant word, which word con-
we modems have borrowed from our ancestors, and tains nothing bearing the remotest semblance to an
that their ideas have come down to us in some pecu- explanation. Again, an English gentleman, and one /
liar way, and by some mysterious process. residing in England, happens to have his mind imbued . x
 The Seer and Celestial Reformer

with conceptions relating to nature and her grand laws, years before Jesus, that therefore he borrowed from
conceptions very unlike those he was intended to Buddha. For suppose that Buddha and Jesus
imbibe by his careful teachers. And, it so happens, were equal to each other in every respect, and that
that those very ideas are identical with views enter- Buddha came to raise the fallen and to seek the lost,
tained and taught by Eastern sages, such as may be Jesus came also to seek and to save the lost. Their
found in the most ancient records of the Eastern mission was therefore alike, consequently, we may very
world. This again has to be disposed of by that ever- naturally look for a similarity in their teachings. Our
ready explanation, " Coincidence." conclusions then are these: there is one Absolute,
• Again, there is no nation or people, however All-prevailing Being, and this being we call God, or
remotely removed from the grand centres of civilisation, good; that there is no crevice in the universe where
but who believe in some being, whom they call upon He is not. And such being the case, we naturally
and adore as their god. And we fancy that it would look for uniformity in His plans. Humanity arc as
be a difficult matter to find throughout the dark one in this case, and the whole race looked at from a
domains of heathendom any evidence pointing out spiritual standpoint converges to one focus, and this
that any people or tribe ever lived who upheld the no- focus centres in the divine. Hence. God is the birth-
god theory. In order to find such specimens of per- right of the whole rate. And what are thus joined to-
verted instinct, we must visit Christian countries. It is gether, let not anyone strive to sunder. The ideas of
in the heart of civilisation that such a monstrous the past may very consistently be the ideas of the
theory finds its most successful advocates. Has this present. The ideas of the East may be the ideas of
grand idea been borrowed? Or must we again be the West; as each may draw their water from the same
satisfied with the word so ready at hand and already fountain, for although the wells may be far apart and
quoted? The mind of man recognising this great numerous, there is but one fountain. There are on this
fact, viz., the being of God, cannot avoid entertaining earth springs of water that have natural outlets from
certain views respecting his character. These views which do flow the cooling stream perennially, there
find modes of expression in different ways, nevertheless, are other wells where labour has to be employed, and
and notwithstanding the diversity of modes of worship, sinkings made in order to find the true spring. It is
there is in the main features a striking resemblance. even so with reference to ideas. There arc persons so
Hence it is said that we may find certain features in constituted as to become the natural outlet, as it were,
the Christian religion, so far as its ritual goes, which for truths immortal to bubble into objective existence.
bears a striking resemblance to the most ancient reli- Such persons find no difficulty in writing or in speak-
gions of the East, and this has led some to conclude ing, and those we call inspired. Such were those
that Christianity is but the re-appearance of an old idea great bards of ancient times, through whom the greater
under a new garb. We are not here to defend all we portions of our bible came. We admit the truth of
find endorsed and held as sacred within the pale of this. But did the current of inspiration cease with
the Christian Church. And furthermore we are pre bible times? We think not;, man is yet the same,
pared to admit that it is possible that the said nature is the same, for the sun, the moon, and all the
Church may have drawn upon the East for a great starry host do still give forth their light. The same
amount of her ritual. But so long as this Church sun that shone on Abraham's tent when that trio of
claims the said ritual merely as an outward expression angelic messengers visited him, shines now. Nor
of thoughts and feelings, based upon truths not capable have we any proofs extant that any of the orbs of
of being otherwise expressed, and so long as her heaven which shone at night upon the gentle Son
symbolisms be the real reflections of what is true% then of God, when He was a sojoumer and sufferer here on
we say that the Christian symbolisms and Christian earth, have ceased to shine. The proof is on the other
ritual are but the expression of ideas, and these ideas hand, for other orbs have come to view since then. It
are truths, and as before shewn none of these need to is true the sun did veil his face whilst Jesus suffered
be borrowed, since ideas arc eternal and also universal. on the tree, but he has shone again, and still continues
Thus it is possible for nations having no connection to shine. Then why should some presume to say that
with each other to have the same ideas. For truth is there is now no inspiration ? Thank God this celestial
not an article capable of being bottled up by any one spring is not under the control of any selfish company
people, and to be eventually disposed of like some of men, who might, to use a very common term, stop
article of commerce. the heavenly " tap." We fear that there are a number
It is said that because Jesus Christ taught similar now upon this earth who would prevent us coming to
truths to those taught by Budha, who lived about 500 our God, unless we chose to conform to their prescrip-
 Tlie Seer and Celestial !Reformer

tions. Hut inspiration still goes on the same, and evi- from that humble home where he first saw the light.
dences of such are found in each department of this The mother thinks about her son, her thoughts become
common life. The inventor, the sculptor, the painter, intense. They formulate themselves into an earnest
the poet, the composer of harmonious music, each and prayer, a prayer to Him who hears our every sigh. This
all, have drawn from this great fount. The man of mother weeps and prays, and prays and weeps in
letters knows full well what it is to feel at times silence on her knees before the All-seeing eye. The
the thrill of inspiration, at which period his very pen subject of her prayers is one. it is this, that Cod would
seems charged with light and life. And when those change his heart. At last, and perchance when yea; s
living words are issued from the press, they find a have rolled away, those prayers have found an entrance,
welcome warm within ten thousand hearts. For that where ? Into the ear of God. Is it only now that the
which comes from the spirit will reach the spirit. Infinite has heard ? How is it that He could be deaf
Thus it is that useful and light-imparting books are so long? Yes, verily, from the first that prayer was
made, and the press itself becomes a mighty power in heard. But He works all things after the order of His
sending these abroad. And it is by such a process Will. His will is law, His laws are uniform, and are
that those of us who may not possess those same not affected by capricious modifications. The Divine
faculties to the same extent, become, at second-hand, works in and through the human. The human to
the privileged possessors of those precious truths, and obtain his purposes takes hold of God, "For He
thus it is that new ideas are added to those already ours. worketh within us both to will and to do." Hence
[To be continued^ the poor mother in praying for her son gains her point
proportionate to that amount of spirit power she may
THE SILENT REFORMATION. possess, and in all cases results are thus proportionate.
We wish to make our subject plain, and to point This son at length relents, reforms, and comes to live
out that the noisiest mode of working for the public the life, that ideal of his mother's soul, and for which
good is not the most efficient, nor is such necessary. she prayed so long. Our thoughts are entities, and
For it is not needful that we should be always appeal- are viewed as such upon the other side. Evil and
ing to the dull and stupid senses of our fellow man in corrupt thoughts are poisonous plants within the
order to render him better and holier. We appeal to spacious garden of our God, from which deleterious
the thoughtful reader by asking him a question to the exhalations are emitted, and by which our spiritual
following effect: Can you really attribute the morality atmosphere becomes impregnated, and our inner
of your present life, and the purity of your desires, to nature, partaking of the same, becomes assimilated to
any of those noisy agencies now so much in vogue ? our pernicious surroundings. It is not the very
Or rather, is it not a fact, thai when you are alone words and gestures of the public man that docs the
taking a walk at eventide, like One of old, within the mighty deed, but his real and dominant thoughts, and
field or on the public way, that then it is that the most most intense desires. It is the inner man that speaks
delightful thoughts, and the most enrapturing visions the loudest. Thousands of persons fancy, that in order
come to you unsought and unsolicited ? How olt is it to be of service to their race, they must of necessity
that when alone new resolutions are made ? Are we not appear within a pulpit, on some public platform, or
when in such a position disposed at times to self-arraign otherwise in print. I do not find fault with such
our life before the bar of conscience ? Can you not call laudable desires, when such spring from motives high
to mind some one great thought which came to you just and pure; but by way of consolation to the millions
at the right time, like some angel of mercy, and which has who must never see publicity, we would say, in the
since proved your guiding star through all the windings first place, think. And in the next place think what
of a chequered life ? You may, at this time, perhaps, is right, pure, and good, and in so doing you will
find it hard to say distinctly as to whence or how that come eventually to act what you think, and your very;v
y
thought came at the first. But your recollections thoughts, yes, those silent thoughts, the thought ofS '
carry you back so far as to furnish you with a kind of that poor sufferer upon his bed of pain will be doing
negative information; you know this much, that this its part towards towards purifying the spiritual atmos-
thought came not to you amid a flourish of trumpets, phere. '
or to the clang of martial music. Every holy thought we think is a precious seed, this
To make our subject still more plain, we will make seed is tended and fostered by angelic hands. This
use of a very familiar illustration. A good and pious seed will ultimately become a plant, this plant will
mother has a disobedient son, who is no longer under ultimately blossom and bear fruit, its delicious fragrance " ■
her control, but spends hia time in haunts of vice, far will contribute towards disinfecting the spirituftl
 Tlie Seer and Celestial Reformer

atmosphere of those poisonous vapours. Good him to accompany him, he boldly followed the coach
thoughts impinge themselves upon the spiritual atmos- running and walking to its first stop. His father was
phere, and will live for ever. Good thoughts are extremely angry at this proceeding, but his kind heart
health-giving, and tend to life; bad and impure was moved by the entreaties of his little one, and the
thoughts are poisonous, and tend to death. Let us tired feet found rest at last in the coach ; but this was
keep a watch over our thoughts, for these are the the fatal blow to tne old surgeon's scheme. Handel
grand agents which will ultimately renovate this moral wis not born to be a lawyer. On the arrival at the
world ; and doing so, who can say how much this will castle, the child made friends immediately with the
contribute towards bettering the physical. duke's " kapelle meister," who took him on the Sunday
In our next we shall offer a few remarks upon the to the organ, and after service lifted him upon the stool
exercise of the human will in the curing of diseases. and permitted him to play upon the great organ. The
duke hearing the playing asked who it was, and was so
SKETCHES OF GREAT MUSICIANS. struck with the style, that he summoned his father, and
No. I. after discoursing eloquently upon the son's genius
HAN D H L (Continued. presented him with a considerable sum of money,
Having touched briefly upon this great master's requesting him to put him under the first musician of
genius, and the influence of his mighty work upon the his town. The father yielded to the prince's persua-
musical world, I shall now give a shbrt outline of his sion thus far, that he would not oppose his son's
life. natural gifts, at the same time he intended him for the
Georg Friedrich was born at Halle, February 23rd, law. On their arrival home he kept his word with the
1685, his father was a surgeon, and intended to edu- duke by placing Georg under Friedrich Wilhclm
cate his son Georg to the legal profession, but Zachat^ a young organist of great skill, who taught him
Handel was a born musician, and was scarcely out of to play upon the organ, harpsichord, violin, hautboy,
the nursery before he began the practice of his art also in the art of counterpoint and fugue.
For a time his father bore with his fancy, but seeing that His father was more than satisfied with his advance-
it was fast developing itself into a passion, he positively ment in Latin, in fact, Handel was an excellent
forbade him to practice music of any kind, saying, " he linguist and a scholar, hence he was pleasing his father
would have no more such jingling." This, my readers by qualifying himself for the law, and pursuing his own
may imagine, was a sore trouble to Handel; in all course at the same time. His command over the
other matters he was an obedient son, but he could* organ and harpsichord astonished all who heard him,
not exist without his music, and he chafed against the while his zeal for composition was so intense that at
cruel law that separated him from it. However, by the age of nine he was able to produce at the end of
means of a friend he obtained possession of an old every week something new in the form of a cantata or
clavischord, which was a keyed instrument, the wires of a sonata for the organ.
which were so muffled by a damper of cloth that the I stated at the outset that I believed that this great
tones they produced were scarcely audible. This master's works were generally, if not always, composed
little instrument was much used in the cells of monas- under the influence of inspiration. I just digress
teries, when studious monks or nuns wished to practise a little from my narrative to ask how could a child of
without disturbing the community. This was the nine compose a piece which it would be difficult, if
instrument that Handel succeeded in carrying to the not impossible (in some cases), for me to play, had
garret—as many of them are small enough to carry it been other than inspiration ? VV.A.M.
under the arm. [To be continued.}
Thus the great master began his practice, and while
his ' unsuspecting parent was profoundly ignorant, NOTICE.
Georg poured out his soul in strains of harmony. An The Seer and Celestial Reformer is published
monthly, and will be sent post free to any address for one
unexpected incident, however, disclosed his secret. year in return for a remittance of One Shilling and Sixpence
His father was summoned to the court of Siicshe- Single copies post free at Three-halfpence each.
Weissenfels, where his grandson Georg Christian Subscriptions are received, and copies supplied by Mr. John
Thomas, kingsley, by Frodsham, Cheshire.
Handel held the appointment as valet-de-chambre to
Orders, remittances, and letters for the Editor to be addressed
the Duke, who was a patron of the art Handel had to the Editor, The Seer, care of J. J. Morse,* 201, Euston
doubtless heard of the beautiful music at Weissenfels, Road, London. N.W.
and being determined to share the journey, and finding Printed and Published for the Proprietor by J. J. Morse, at
his father would not listen to his persuasions to allow 301, Euston Road, London, N.W,
 PUBLISHED POST FREE

EVERY U. 6d.r.: •

MONTH, PER ANNUM,

No .3—Vol I. SEPTEMC Ell, 1884!. One Penny.

NOTICE. the construction of the term. For had not such a

Tub Sf.eu and Celestial Reformer is published thing existed there would have been no need for
monthly, and will be sent post frcj to any address fur one for the word.
year in return fur a remittance of One Shillini; and Sixpence.
Single copies post free at Thrcc-balfpcncc each. Every name in our language is a mode of
Subscriptions arc received, and copies supplied by Mr. John expressing a tiring and a thing in its primitive sense
Thomas, Kingsky, by Frodsham, Cheshire. is an idea.
Orders, remittances, and letters for the Editor to be addressed
to the Editor, Tub Seek, care of J. J. Morse, aoi, Euston Our word inspiration is of latin origin, Inspiro%
Road, London, N.W. "to blow in," or to "breathe within." This is suggest-
ive of some power outside, or beside our own
personality, capable of breathing into our inner
THE SEER
nature thoughts or ideas, or otherwise it is suggest-
JND CELESTIAL REFORMER, ive of a Spirit-wave. We therefore argue that the
SEPTEMBER, mere existence of this word, a word of long stand-
ing, is itself a proof that the thing it expresses
was once a reality, and which must still be a re-
THE ETERNITY AND UNIVERSALITY ality, for otherwise the word would have long since been
OP IDEAS. substituted by some other term more in keeping
Chapter III. wirh modern ideas. But seeing this word is still
INSPIRATION. in our English vocabulary we feel we have a right
The greatness and the majesty of Inspiration have to ask for, or otherwise to claim, the recognition of
already been scanned in outline, also its continuity, of the great truth itself, for the expression of which
like an ever flowing stream, has been faintly sketched, the word has been coined.
but no attempt has yet been made to explain, or This, our claim to such a recognition, is sup-
otherwise to give the reader to understand that what ported by other considcralions than the one already
we designate Inspiration is a fact, a living and abiding mentioned. The first of which is: that hnman
truth, a truth as comprehensive as humanity. nature is the subject of inspiration
In order to arrive at a correct knowledge of this We are not here simply to tell our readers that
subject we shall strictly adhere to the word itself. human nature may become the subject of inspiration
Words should be guides to a right knowledge ol and that it was only a favoured few in the jxxst
ideas, and as such they are invariably received and who were inspired, and that it is only a select class
relied upon. And when language is not used for who are even now so highly favoured.
this purpose it is of no service at all, and is a On the contrary, we are here to state that in-
meaningless jargon. spiration ever has, and yet does extend its waves
We suppose that our lexicographers have given to all humanity. If the river when cut off from its
.the word "inspiration" in order that a certain idea source could continue to flow on as before, then
might be suited with a proper mode of expression. could man, when cut off from the Divine fount cf
And it was the pre-existence of the idea necescitnted life and thought, continue to live, think, and act.
 The Seer and Celestial [Reformer

But it is contrary to reason and experience to sup- ideas. Man is a little world in epitome. And the
pose the river capable of flowing when cut off from organs of the brain, and of his material frame arc but
its source, and it is as unreasonable for us to suppose the expressions of a spiritual nature, a nature which
that mankind should be capable of thought and existed before the body. Such being the case it be- •
action when severed from the source of all thought comes quite clear that each organ of the brain, as
life and motion, for "it is in Him we live, move, denoted by those cranial protuberances, simply indi-
and have our being." It is true we may improve cate this : that the larger organ affords the condition
our condition, so as to give the Spiritual a greater for a greater amount of spirit energy, and not that the
degree of prominence. It is true we may become energy is in the organ itself, or is generated by the
more and more upon the the image of the Truth, organ.
the Absolute One. This is our Mission, this is The organs of the brain being material connect
is our "high calling," or profession. themselves by the different senses with external nature.
We frequently hear persons saying, and that with And it is only in such a way that they can deal with
an air of apparent truthfulness, that all men have a material objects. Nor can the brain do this even,
soul, or that all men have a spiritual nature. It would unless permitted by the spirit. The outer organism is ,
be just as rational to say that all rivers and seas contain the door through which the spirit holds converse
water. As if the spiritual was but a mere appendage, with external nature. Thus it is that the man who has
a compliment, or some after-thought on the part of one organ very large will become a genius, other things
our Originator. Whereas the Spirit is the man, the being equal.
Spirit is ihc cause of what we call material. The On the same principle it it is, that the Mesmerist,
Spirit which tenants this body is in its essence the when he unduly excites any particular organ, does for
same as universal spiiil. Hence it is we receive of the time being open that door much wider than it
the Spirit, and from the Spirit. Nor do we, as some could do of itself in its normal state. Thus the man
suppose, receive the spiritual through the material. that has the organ of Tune very full, is naturally drawn
This would be a reversal of the order of universal towards the subject of Harmony. And in all other
nature. It is in the order of nature for the plant to instances we may find that in external nature which
develop from the seed. The majestic Oak develops adapts itself to each and every function of the brain,
from the acorn. The bcateuous flower develops and as well as every other organ of the body.
displays its loveliness, and breathes abroad its fragrance ( To be Continued.)
from the tiny bud. The order of nature is to unfold,
to develop, to radiate from the centre to the circumfer-
THE SILENT REFORMATION.
ence. And if man were to receive the Spiritual through
Chapter 111.
the material then would notures laws be reversed.
The science of Phrenology may be considered by PSYCHICAL RADIATION.
some capapable of producing arguments destructive There are some words and phrases in our language
of our theory. But a very small amount of reflection which we consider inappropriate simply from the want
will show matters in a very different light to that in of more discrimination in their application. Hence
which they may at first appear. We will try to make such words are not calculated to convey to the mind
this matter clear. Tne human head presents to the right ideas of such subjects which such words were
phrcnoolgist a number of protuberances, which are intended to explain. One of these is the word Influ-
■known to the non-professional world as "bumps," and ence, which is used at random, with but little regard
when any of these "bumps" are much fuller than th, to the suitableness of its application. When a person
rest such person will excel in that line which the sci- feels any peculiar sensation, not directly attributable
ence of phrenology assigns to that particular organ. to any assignable cansc, the remark generally is " I
This is admitted by the materialist, and here is the feel some strange influence." In such a case the term
extreme limits of his horizon. But whilst we are fully is proper enough. But when we say that our influence
prepared to admit the truth of phrenology, we are at ^xcts in such and such a way upon another person, it is
same time, in a position to claim something more than not then so appropriate. For the very word implies a
what pure materialsm is capable of affording, so long nomcthing that Jtowi in, and what flows in does not
as its range of thought is confiined within the reach of imply a flowing out at one and the same time. Thus
the outer senses. We look upon the nnivcrsc as but the same word will not answer for two opposite acts.
the reflection of the spiritual. A flowing in is what the term expresses, and nothing
Every World, Sun, and Satellite that revolves amid else. We therefore look for some other term, or phrase,
the ocean of boundless ether arc but expressions of by which we may rightly express the outflowing. We
 Tlie Seer and Celestial Reformer

have selected one such phrase, which we have placed positive nature arc rather rcpcllnnt. Secondly, a low
at the head of this chapter. These words arc cxprcs- crafty person, one full of subtilily, one who is always
ivc of a power, this power is a soul power, and this on the look out for a fault, or a defect in his fellow
soul power is said to flow outward from some Central man, and ever expects to find the rough in those
object to the cicruumfcrancc. Thus we get the the persons with whom he may have to do. Now it will
idea that a something is being continually emmitted be asked what is it we do see? Not the ftrson as seen
from each individual, and that this something is of a and known by our senses. But that of a circular disc.
nature to affect another person, or other persons within This is a form that belongs to every man and woman,
their surroundings, either for good or bad ; cither this Each one is to us a sphere, so long as such arc in (he
will prove "a savour of life unto life," or of "death in the body, afterwards each appears as male or
unto death." That which we have now stated is a fact female, that is when disembodied. This disc, or sphere,
needs no lengthy argument of ours to prove. The in all eases, possesses a portion of luminosity. Al-
proof lies within the limits of each person's observation. though in some instances the ciustaccous surroundings
And to make such clear to each of our readers, we are so thick that it is with much dilficully we can
would direct their attention to such instances as they trace them. But we cannot see the diflerencc between
will be prepared to recognise. And that without im- male and female beyond this ; that the positive element
posing a tax upon their imaginations. generally abounds more in the male than the female.-
It isamalterof frequent occurencc, forpcrsons, when ( To be Continued.)
in the presence of another, to experience certain
impressions, which impressions conduct the mind, by
an intuitive process, to form an instantaneous SKETCHES OP GREAT MUSZOZAKS.
judgment of the person before you, and that quite No. I.
independently of any previous acquaintance with that HANDEL (Continued.
persons character, or history. How often is it that we
A volume of Six Sonatas were composed during his
feel repelled when in the presence of one, whilst, on
ninth-year. This was found by Burney, afterwards, in
the contrary, we arc attracted when we arc in the
the Royal Collection, but it has been sought for in
company of another. Thus it is, in this, and in other
the M.S.S. at Buckingham Palace without success.
other ways, we arc brought face to face with a great
There were other works of this great Artist in a
truth, a reality, and yet of such a nature as to elude
volume dated 1698, signed G.F.H, containing Fuges,
the vigilance of the outer senses ; but which neverthe- Airs, and Choruses. This volume ultimately became
less speaks to our inner consciousness, in a language
the property of 1-ady Rivers, in whose posscsion it
far more forcible than any verbal utterance could have
remained as late as the year 1799, but all trace of it
done. We then come to the conclusion that there is a has since disappeared. Beyond these vanished
power radiating from every person, which the generality
treasures there is no other record of this most
call an "an Influence," but which others designate
interesting period of Handels life. Yet these weekly
Magnetism, but which Baron Von Richcnbach calls
productions cannot have been worthless, for Zachan
"Od Force." Hence it is not a very easy matter to
himself confessed that at the end of three years his
fix upon any one term as sufficiently expressive, and pupil had acquired all he was able to impart to him.
for that reason we have adopted the phrase "Psychic
Hence we find that the child musuician finding that he
Radiation" as fiit heading for the present chapter.
required a wider field of learning, persuaded his father
We have special reasons beyond those alrcaby given
tosend him to Berlin, which he did in charge of a friend,
for such d selection. These reasons lie within the
whose name has not transpired, and here in the'-ycar
domain of our own personal experience. This experi-
1696 he was presented to the Elector, and Electress, who
ence we appeal to as an authority in such matters.
were both eminent musicians of their time, and who
Our experience is as follows: When we desire to know
took the greatest interest ih the art, both OQitono and
the state or condition of any person, and that at any
Operatic. It was here he made the acquafetanceof
distance from us, we simply collect our thoughts, and
Attilio Ariosto, and Giovanni Battista Buonntmo,two
concentrate them upon such a person. If we have
rival composers, whom he afterwards met later in life.
never had any correspondence with such an one before
The differance between these two musicians may
it may take us some time; and also the expenditure of
understood by what follows: Ariosto treatod the
much energy, (nerve force), before we can gel at the
child with undisguised aflection, and would hold
object of our search. But we seldom fail to do so
him for hours upon his knee at the Harpsichord,
eventually. The following are a few of the hinderances
and while astonished at the performance gave him
w c have to contend with ; First, persons of a very
 Tlio Seer and Celestial Ifiefornier

many valuable hints, which were useful to him in numbers of Cantatas, which through the cnrclcsnes
the future. Duononcini did not trouble either to of the town librarian of Halle were entirely lost. M
verify or dispute the opinioas held by his fellow remained in his position only until the end of hi
as regards the "infant prodigy," whom he avoided engagement, and then he started off to seek hi
as beneath his contempt, until at length he could fortune in the great world of which he had seei
no longer withstand the universal verdict. Then so little.
he changed his plan,. he composed a Cantata with Our little Gcorg has grown into a man, we shal
a "Thorough Base" for the Harpsichord, with now hear no more of studies being divided,—Lav
Chromatic progressions of great difficulty and he and Latin, Counterpoint and Fuge, studied sidi
requested Gcorg Fredench to accompany at sight. To by side,—he now bids farewell to college life, ami
accompany a Fuge base, and to do it well, is to with a man's heart in his bosom, and a frame 01
my mind more difficult than playing from score,— no ordinary build, we find him making his first
and the latter only very good men can accomplish, appearance in Hamburg, in 1703. With nothing
that is properly. Handel not only played it correctly save his own genius, and his indomitable perseverance,
but also in a style which so astonished the jealous no powerful friends now at his back, and little or
Maestro that he was compelled to treat his no resources,—his mother had only a limited in-
young antagonist, not indeed with cordiality, but come,—Handel was one of those to whom dilficultics
with a studied politeness, which was to the warm arc no object. He came to Hamburg, says one
hearted child not not much better than con- 4* rich in ability and good will. He formed almost
tempt. his first intimacy with mc, aud we visited together
Organs, Choirs, Operas, Concerts, and more especially
The Elector seeing that there was a rivalry, which
houses to which I introduced him, and in which
would possibly become disastrous, and wishing our
music was devoutly practised. At first he would
hero to have the best masters, proposed to his father
play the second violin, and behaved as well as if
to send him to Italy, free of all expense, to com-
he knew not how to court favour, for his nature
plete his education. Expressing his deep gratitude
was full of honour. Bur once, when the Harpsichord
to the Elector for his great kindness he had his
player was absent he was persuaded to play and he
son once more under his own roof. He may be
acquitted himself like a man, thongh no one but
blamed for this procecdurc on first sight, but we find
myself considered him capable of so doing. Here
that King Frederick I. died in the year 1713, and
at Hamburg it was lhat he set to music very long
one of the first acts of his successor was was to
airs, and almost interminable Cantatas. He was
disperse the entire Kapclle, and the once favoured
grand upon the Organ, greater than Kulman in
Court Musicians were scattered over the earth.
Counterpoint and Fuge, especially extempore, though
Handel's father lived only a few months after he knew but little of melody until he frequented
his return from Berlin at the age of seventy-five. His
the Opera. Composers of Handels school were
wife (Handel's mother), the Frau Dorothea; upon Contrapuntists in the very highest sense. Melody
whom his education now devolved, gave him her was nothing, Harmony was everything, however
aid, and under her watchful guidance he became having got the root of all; the fiorrid Italian Melody
an excellent scholar. Our hero has now reached
which he afterwards heard united with his own
the age of seventeen, when the Organist of the superior style made some of Handel's Operas very
Cathedral of Moritzburg, who neglected his duty
gems of beauty of form.
was dismissed, and though Gcorg Friedrich was
(To be Continued.)
so young the governing body showed its just dis-
cernment by placing the vacant post in his hands
at a salary of fifty thalers and an official residence
on the Moritzburg. This was made dependent on
a twelve months engagement, and was no light
duty, as the organist was expected not only to
do justice to the grand instrument, but he should
set to music Psalms, Chants, and Cantatas for all
Sundays and Festivals, and insure their efficient
performance. An older man than Handel might
have hesitated to take the place. It is stated that
during his engagement of twelve months he wrote
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received in Stamps, Tost at Orders, or Cheques. a weekly. What we say is this ; You furnish us with
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THE SEEE Liverpool starts well, and our friends in that C;ty
AND CELESTIAL REIORMER, arc very energetic in our cause. We have a sprinkling of
friends and supporters mall the great towns of England
OCTOBER, 1S84.
Ireland and Scptland. Also British Columbia and
Canada. If each and all would put their shoulder to the
We arc presenting our readers with a big penny-worth
wheel our paper would soon be what it is our intention
this month. We had been told some time back that
that it shall be, viz: A larger paper, and issued weekly.
the Spiritual Wave was coming, and that we were to
prepare our readers for this by pointing out to them
We arc sorry to be deprived of the "Sketches of •
primal principles, principles capable of holding
Great Musicians" this month. Our worthy correspon-
the grand Superstructure. We have done so as faithfully
dent is unwell. But we anticipate another contribution
as we were able to do, and when we closed our last
in due course ready for cvar next issue.
issue, we did not expect the grand "influx" so soon.
Consequently we have, for the time, left portions un-
finished. And that for the present, matters must go WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD c
on as they have started, without let or hinderance. OR THE EXPERIENCES OF A SEER.
We inform our readers, and through them the public HArrLNiNO to possess certain faculties in a higher
at large, that the Seer has at last hoisted sail, and is state of development than the majority of my fellows,
about starting on its voyage, before a stiff breeze. It 1 am therefore in consequence, liable to be considered
has got a steady helmsman, an experienced Captain, eccentric. And yet, I do not pride myself on being
and a gallant crew. But the ship lacks stores. There eccentric. or do I seek for popularity by such a
is not provision for so long a voyage, a voyage of ex- course. But 1 love truth, and whatsoever is true, or
ploration, a voyage for grand discoveries. We arc pre- wheresoever it lies, I am not too indolent to seek; and
pared to take our readers into regions and climes, when found, I never lack the courage to acknowledge
within the provinces of nature, where the Microscope it, and that publicly, if necessary. Should 1 be asked
and the Telescope arc of no avail, But in order we as to what is my creed? my invariable reply is ; "what-
we may do so, we must have support. And if you re- j ever things are true." From my earliest days, I strove
 The Seer and Celestial IReformer

to shun, that one great stumbling-block to true progress: because I am in the habit of tolerating the views
prejudice. Hence it is I can find something that is and faiths of other people, it is but natural I should
good and usefull in any place, book, or in the presence expect like treatment from them in return. And, as it
and conversation of any person. I am seldom led by has become my mission, to tell the readers of the Si:kk
high sounding professions of whatsoever nature those truths of no ordinary character, some of which will
might be. I have very often found as much intoler- very likely prove new, I hope that each will possess the
ance in the actions of so-called freethinkers, as I have manliness to read what I have written, and in the next
in the sermons of the most narrow of orthodox minis- place to think over what they may read, and in the last
ters. For those who shout liberty the loudest arc not place, if the same readers consider these revelations to
themselves always the most liberal, be true, or in any way likely to serve some uesful pur-
I have therefore learned to discriminate, and to pose, I earnestly intreat such that they muster up a
think matters over in a calm and in a quiet way. I sufficient amount of courage to stand up and acknow-
have ever strove to avoid every undue bias, and it is what they consider right.
to such a mode of living I attribute success in my de- WHAT I HAVE SEEN RELALIVE TO THIS EARTHS
velopment as a "Seer" of things of a physical, as well SURFACE.
as of a Spiritual slate. And my advice to all, who It was at the close of one winter's evening, when
consider they possess this faculty is; If you wish to silting with my family beside a very comfortable fire,
become a true "Seer," do not confine yourself to any that 1 fell, one of those strange sensations, known only
one phase of opinions. Ix'l your mind be ever open to such as have graduated like myself in subjects of an
to the reception of truth, whenever a truth is presented. Occult or Spiritual nature. When I suddenly felt, or
It matters not as to what source, or by whom pro- perceived my position and all my then present sur-
pounded. Examine it, make it a subject of your most roundings undergoing a kind of transformation. I was
earnest thoughts. Try to shake yourself free of every no longer in my comfortable home l>eside the cheery
little crotchet. Do not reject a noble thought, because fire and in the midst of my family. But apparently
it happens to be different to what you may have'found transported to a strange world, where existed scenery
in your favourite author. Or, because it is not exactly unlike what I ever saw before, and yet, there was the
the same, as Mr. So and So, believes. But rather, conciousness after all, that I was still upon the same
"prove all things, and then hold fast what is good." old earth. But how different 1 It was excessively
Some Spiritualists are liable to err, through believing gloomy. At the first I could scarcely discern the
loo implicitly what certain Spirits teach; supposing surrounding objects. And yet it was day ! But what
such Spirits to be much in advance of themselves. a day ! The light resembles the first efforts of the
Whereas, in many instances, the reverse of this is the morning to open the gates of the cast. 1 could at
truth. The non Spiritualist on the other hand, will last sec the landscape sufficiently clear, so as to make
believe uolhing propounded by Spirits, looking upon out the outlines of all I saw, and finally, to become
the whole as coming from the devil as delusion. Hence, acquainted with my new surroundings, and the pecu-
however good and pure the leaching it matters not. liar character of those objects, upon which I was gaz-
The book may be highly moral in its tone, and good ing in a state of bewilderment. 1 looked up to the
and pure in its tendencies, but, if it carries the stamp heavens, and all I saw was what appeared to be a Star of
of having come through a spiritual agency, it will be the first magnitude, glimmering faintly through the
thrown on one side as suddenly as if it were a scorpion. dense dark fog. And yet I knew that this star was
And thus it is in this way mankind are kept aloo our glorious Sun, the Lord of day. But his rays had
from each other, and are disposed to look upon eachf foundered in the murky atmosphere. Nor could they
other as common enemies. Such is not my mode of reach this cold cheerless and granite-like globe.
of thinking. I am quite willing to listen to what Judging from the southern aspect of the sun, my po-
another may have to say, and if what he says be good, siton must have been the far North. For the season
or of a good tendency, I accept the good as far as it of vision was what we term midsummer. And yet
goes, and should there be a residuum of a rather the Sun appeared in the same position as we in Eng-
dubious quality, I let it be. I will not create a dis- land behold him on and near our shortest day. I must
lurdance over the matter. The person who prop- then conclude that the latitude was very far North. And
ounds it believes it, and even should it prove an yet strange to relate, 1 saw no ice or snow, nor did I per-
error, bad temper, and strong language on my jiart is ceive it to be cold. The scene was desolate in the
not very likely to shake him in his faith. Thus it is extreme. Nothing but naked rocks interspersed with
I am on terms of amity with even those who do not lakes, I saw no sea or ocean, such at that time did noi
hold with me—and arc of opposite opinions. Now exist. The earth had no soil upon its surface, nothing
 Tlie Seer and Celestial Reformer

but stone, deep caverns and rugged rocks. But not a ever at that period. And yet, the atmosphere appeared
vestige of life could I perceive. Nor was there a sound murky and looked humid. But 1 am inclined to think
of any kind to break upon the dark domain of univer- it could not have been so, or there would have been
sal death. My visionary powers began to grow dim more indications of life and growth. But, to this my
teachers say, that it matters nut how humid the air
and all became a blank, but only for a few seconds.
I woke up and was yet upon the scene of my former might be, or even how salubrious the clime, (had such
vision. It was the same clime, nevertheless a change been the case) the life principle had only just appeared!
had taken place, a wave of light had visited this earth, And in the absence of this a "Paul may plant and
and with that light a wave of life came as well. It Appollos water."
seemed to have floated down from some stupendous That which destroys builds. Where there is an
heights upon this solitary looking world. The sun ap- oxydising power there is the life power. And where
peared larger. A slight change had crept over the face this is absent, life is absent. Brethren, so long as iron
of universal na.urc. The rocks possessed a different will rust when exposed to the air, so long the life prin-
hue. They looked less black and sombre, a kind of ciple will continue. You might think this a strange
grey had overspread the whole, and upon inspection I expression. But there was a lime when iron might
found the insignificant lichen. That hard worker and have been exposed on the surface of this earth for
forerunner of vegetation had taken a firm possession of thousands of years and never rust. I again became
the everlasting rocks. I tried to ascertain the period oblivious as before, and on my awaking, 1 found my-
that had rolled by, to bring about this small change. self surrounded by a greater degree of light, and the
And according to what my teachers say it was 10,000 sun appeared larger, and the life principle had evidently
years! 1 do not claim infallibility in the measurement begun to manifest itself on a grander scale. The humble
of so great an epoch. Hence, in the measurement of mosses had succeeded the lichen and a tinge of verdure
time I must depend upon the teachings of those, who had taken the place of dingy grey. But 1 saw no sign
had seen this earth in its former glory, before the tide of life in the form of any kind of land animal, unless
of life had left our planet, and when all nature danced that monster of the lakes alighted by accident upon
beneath the glow of a brighter heaven. And these the land,but such I did nut witness. Now prior to the
high Intelligences say, that when I saw the earth in its the development of the lichen, I had not seen this
garb of death, that 100,000 years had elapsed since monster, and from what my teachers say, it was in a slate
the reign of universa death had set in. And that it of development during the ten thousand years preced-
was at the begining of the last x 0,000 years when the ing the development of the lichen, and that the birth of
first scintillant ray of coming life set in. Thus it look this creature and that of the lichen were coeval. But
jo,oco years to develop the humble, but laborious the big Bat-fish is a thing of the past the far far past, and
and tenacious lichen 1 Although I am not a scientist though there hasbcenfound the fossil rcmainsofanimals
of the accepted order, I am in a position to give to the bearing a resemblance to this, yet nowhere exists the
scientific world what it will never gel by its present fossil remains of such a being at the present day. This
modes ofreascarch and investigation. is gone and gone for ever, and his place shall
Whilst musing upon my strange surroundings, a know him no more. But the humble lichen still lives
terrible movement look place in one of the adjoining to do its work of disintegration upon the barren rocks,
lakes, the water became agitated and a monster, such and thus prepare a place for nobler tribes of herbs
as I had never before seen stood up erect from the plants and trees. I felt a little curious to know what
depths with outstretched wings of bat-like shape. This was the prior state of tins Bat-fish for such I shall call
crea-lurc'sclementwaswater. Nevertheless, when its ins- him. And am informed that fur thousands of years
tincts propelled it to seek what it wanted, in other lakes, it was growing from a jelly, or a spawn and fastened
it made nse ot those mighty wings. It appeared to itself to the bottom of the lake. It grew like a large
feed upon the smaller brood of the fishy tribes. To and gigantic fungus, until at last it became developed
me it appears staange, how the atmosphere could carry in a higher, and yet a higher form, and finally it deserted
so ponderous a beast. I am inclined to think it im- that dubious frontier of existence, and became loosen-
possible for a creature of such proponions to ascend so ed from its granife mother.
high as to scale those jutting peaks of granite rock. Aluus Magus.
I would at this point remark, that granite was the kind (To he Continued,)
of stone that came beneath my vision. I saw no marble
or limestone. But I saw a certain kind of metal of a
THE GRASSLESS CRAVE.
very aark appearance, the atmosphere did not appear
to affect its surface, so as to form an oxide, not how- In Montgomery Church-yard North Wales, may bc
 The Beer and Celestial Reformer.

sccn'a barren spot amid the surrounding verdure. THE PROGRESSIVE LITERATURE AGENCY,
Such has been the condition of that one spot of earth [Established 1S78J
for many generations, notwithstanding the repeated 201, EUSTOX ROAD, LO *D0 T, N.W.
efforts made to frustrate the unseen power which is J. J. MORSE, Printer, Publisher, Bookseller and
the alleged ccusc of so strange a phenomenon. Gen- Importer of all works upon Spiritualism, Psychol-
erations back a man was cxcculcd in that said town for ogy, Occultism, Health, Food, and General Reform.
a supposed capital offence. But he declared his inno- Sole European Agent to COLBY AND RICH,
cency up to the last. And when upon the scaffold, Banner of IJght Publishing House, Boston ; JOHN
with upturned face he is said to have uttered the fol- C. BUNDY, The Rcligio-Philosophical Journal Publish-
lowing strange prayer : "As a proof of my innoccncy ing House, Chicago, U.S.A.; and to W. H. TERRY,
may God grant that the grass may never grow upon Harbinger of Light Publishing House, Melbourne,
my grave." The writer of this lived within seven miles Australia.
of the said town. His wife when young lived within JlDri6gc6 ^isif of Jlmcvican ^ovfio.
three miles and saw the grasslcss spot forty years ago. WORKS OF ANDREW JACKSON DAMS.
Possibly the wise men of this materialistic age will ig- Natures Divine Revelations 15 o
norethc fads of this matter and may throw stumbling- Gl. Harmonia Vol. 1 The Physician 6 6
„ „ 2 The Teacher 6 o
block in the way of honest inquiry.
„ „ 3 The Seer - 6 6
A. D. „ „ 4 The Reformer 6 6
„ „ 5 The Thinker - 6 6
REVIEW. The Magic Staff 8 6
A Stellar Key to the Summer Land 3 6
The SciExrinc Basis of Spiritualism.—By Epes Approaching Crisis - - 40
Sargent, Author of 4*Planchcllc,,, "The Proof Pal- Answers to Ever-recurring Questions - 6 6
pable of Immortality," etc. Cheap English Edition. Children's Progressive Lyceum Manual - 3.6
Cloth, 396 pages. Pour Shillings, postage six-pence. Death and the After Life 3 6
London : 1 he Progressive Literature Agency. Morning Lectures - - 6 6
The publication of the above described book will un- History and Philosophy of Evil 2 6
doubtedly be a boon to hundreds in the ranks o^ Harbinger of Health - - 6 6
Spiritualism in this country. So frequent have the Harmonial Man 2 6
complaints been against the high prices charged for lemoranda of Persons, Places, and Events -So
Spiritual literature,—in many cases it must be asserted Philosophy of Special Providences 2 6
that such complaints were unjust,—that in the book Views of Our Heavenly Home 4 o
before us it is a pleasure to be able to emphaitcally Free Thoughts Concerning Religion 3 6
recommend it alike for its reasonable price, and the Penetralia; Containing Harmonial Answers 8 o
value of its contents, Philosophy of Spiritual Intercourse . ' -60
The Inner Life ; or Spirit Mysteries Explained 5 o
The work is written in that clear and judicial stye' The Temple; on Diseases of the Brain - 60
which arc the distinguishing marks of its able authors Tale of a Physician - - - 46
literary method. It carries the reader step by step
from fact to fact, supporting each position, and stale- WORKS OF PROFESSOR WILLIAM DENTON
ment, with unanswerable logic, and it is everywhere Geology ; the Past and Future of our Planet - 6 6
calm and dignified in method and expression. Soul of Things—3 vols, (per vol.) 6 6
In chapters 2, 3, 8, 10, and 12, particularly, the Radical Rhymes - $6
reader will find matters of intense interest if he wishes What was He? or Jesus in Light of the iplh
to grasp the subject of Spiritualism with a view to Century 5 6
understanding the value of its facts, and the testimony Is Spiritualism True ? - - -06
in their support, with an examination of the criticisms Orthodoxy False since Spiritualism is True o 6
of Wundl, and others of the Continental opposition, Be Thyself - - - - 06
and a statement of the cumulative testimony in favour Common-sense Thoughts on the Bible o 6
of the Spiritual Hypothesis. In chapter 12, devoted Christianity no Finality o 6
to 44The Great Generalization," the philosophy of Man's True Saviours - o 6
Immortality will be found discussed in a manner at What is Right ? - 06
once so scholarly and able as to leave nothing to be The Deluge in the light of Modem Science o 6
desired. Who are Christians ? - - -06
The Irreconcilable Records: Genesis or Geology 1 6
Spiritualists everywhere should give this book the Life of William Demon 1 6
widest circulation. It is an invaluable aid to their
cause, and as the price brings it within the reach of Printed and Publislicd for (he Proprietor by J. J. Morse, at
all it should meet with a large sale, for certainly a The Progressive Literature Agency, aoi, Euslon Road,
cheaper book has never been presented to the cause London, N.W.
PUBLISHED POST FREE

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No. 5.—Vol. I. NOVEMHER, 1881. One Penny.

GLADSTONE AT A SEANCE.
THE SEER
Much excitement has recently been created among
ytND celestial reformer. the materialists because the Prime Minister chanced
NOVEMBER, 1884. to have visited the house of a friend, in the company
of three or four of his acquaintances, for the purpose
In consequence of illness and absence from home, of witnessing some tests through slate writing. The
we must apologise for the lateness of present issue. medium, as it now appears, was Mr. W. Eglington, in
During the present month we have been enabled whose presence short and long messages are written
by spirits, and that very frequently in languages
to give to mankind another sample of spiritual or
unknown to the medium or the sitters. And such
psychical power in the perfect restoration of a young
seems to have been the case upon the visit of Mr.
woman who was insane, to a sound state of mind.
Gladstone. Messages were given in more than one
This constitutes the fourth case of the kind we have
language. We can say nothing as to the contents of
been instrumental in bringing right And yet little
minds still ask for tests. those messages, seeing such was secret. But whatever
the contents might have been, it is evident the honor-
In our peregrinations of the month we visited a able gentleman was well satisfied with the proceedings,
house, and were not long before we discovered a poor as it is more than probable he got more than he had
spirit in a most wretched condition, attached to the anticipated.
place. We perceived the place was haunted. But what then ? Has Spiritualism derived any real
We made no remarks, as the inmates were perfect advantage from this event? We cannot find that it-
strangers. has, as Mr. Gladstone did not say at the close of that
After some minutes we were impressed to go outside seance that henceforth he should believe in the power
the house, so we pretended that we wanted to look of spirits to communicate with mortals. Much less,
around, but not with any real object in view. The he did not even say that he believed in spirits at all.'
master of the house came with us. We went in a cer- The Prime Minister said the very least thing he could
tain direction, but on looking back toward the house have said under the circumstances. What he said was
saw the spirit beckoning for us to go in another direc- tantamount to this : That there is something in this
tion. We went, and on crossing over a certain place, thing, and that something was of sufficient importance
wc asked the master had he any knowledge of anything to elicit investigation. This same thing has been said
in particular about this place. scores of times, notwithstanding all the books that
The man looked bewildered, and then stated that have been written, notwithstanding all the bbna fide
his house was haunted by strange noises, groans, 8:c., statements that have been made. Each one of the
and that something particular had been seen about opponents of Spiritualism will still demand tests, and
that part where we now standing. call out for investigation; as if all the great minds
As all this appears to corroborate our own experience that have waded through the evidences were fools. It
in this matter, it is our intention to look further into was just the same on this occasioh; as a put off,
it, and report to our readers if there be anything Mr. Gladstone .recommended slate-writing as a subject
of importance. for investigation ! As if it had never'been thought of
 Tlie Seer and Celestial Reformer

before! So we must, after all, suppose that all that coaches were also followed by a large number of
had been witnessed in the past goes for nothing with private carriages belonging to merchants in this city.
such a one as Mr. Gladstone. The testimonies of Accompanying the procession from the house were
Howilt, the Varleys, Cox, Judge Edmonds, &€. are of Messrs. A. Hoskin, J. H. Brown, W. Challoner,
no account! But some one may say that after all the F. Clarke, G. Fletcher, J. Fiupalrick, (1. Wall, G.
honorable gentlemen was convinced, and that he did Brandon, T. J. Harrington, G. Hcapy, J. T. P. Par-
believe; if so he is dishonest to his conscience. He kinson, J. Jukes, J. Hooton, W. Carson, J. Campbell,
is guilty of moral cowardice. Any man that says one T. J. Kyne, George Harris, William Dunkerlcy.
thing and yet believes the contrary, is not one of the ihomas Quinscy, J. Marquis, J. Hargreavos, and
most unexceptional of characters. Upon the whole, others. On the cortege arriving at the station it was
then we consider that the materialists need not be met by Messrs W. Adams, N. Adams, J. Honeyford,
alarmed at having lost one of their supporters, nor G. F. Jackson, W. CofTcy, J. Harlcy, J. Mulgrew, J.
have Spiritualists any cause for congratulation. Fern, John Hcapy, T. Doyle, W. Ringland, j.
Bowkcr, J. C. Balfour, W. Thomas, Walter Windsor,-
THE DEATH OF JOHN FOWLER, ESQ. J. Ogle, R. Chatham, J. Berry, Marplc Jones, J. Ben-
SiN'Ci: our last issue the cause of Spiritualism has nett, J. Callow, J. Coatcs, J. M'Envoy, F. Bamford,
sustained a grc.U lost through the death of one Gormer, I ludson/Mctcher, and other gentlemen con-
of Liverpool's wcallhi::t merchants. This gentle- nected with the provision trade. There were also
man was one of the right stamp. He became con- present a large number of ladies and the wives of the
vinced that spirit communion was a fact. After that employes of the deceased. The ccflin, which was of
he never feared to state his convictions. He was one polished oak with silver mountings, was covered with
of Nature's true noblemen. He feared not the frowns wreaths of flowers. The following gentlemen accom-
of 44 Mrs. Grundy," like many persons in positional panied the mourners as far as CncstcrMr. A. Hos-
the present day. king, Mr. J. H. Brown, Mr. Challoner, and Mr.
The little band of Spiritualists who meet at Rodney F. Clarke. The funeral arrangements, which were
Hall on Sundays, will miss Mr. Fowler very much, as highly satisfactory, were carried out by Messrs. G. H.
this gentleman was very seldom absent from his post, Lee and Co., Basnclt Street."
and his purse was ever open towards the support of
the cause in that place. We give a full report of the WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD:
funeral, which we copy from the Liverpool Merair\\ OR THE EXPERIENCES OF A SEER.
31st October, 1884. 1 am sorry to have made a very great mistake in
"The remains of the late Mr. John Fowler, 57 years figures in my last paper relating to the lapse of time
of age, provision merchant, who carried on business in since the departure of the 44 life wavefrom this globe,
Victoria Street, and resided at St. Ann's, Croxlcih up to that period when the return ol the same again
Drive, Scfton Park, Liverpool, will this day be interred became manifest. Instead of it being ioo,cco, it
in the cemetery of the native place of the deceased, at should have been 100,000,000 1 as this is the nearest
Brookborough, Ireland. In order to meet these approximation to the truth that can be attained to.
arrangements, the body of the deceased was removed Such a lapse of time surpasses all human conceptions
from his late residence yesterday afternoon. At three it is true, yet it must be borne in mind that such a
o'c'ock service was conducted at the house by the Rev. period is only a small fragment of vaster cycles, which
Thomas M'Cullagh (cx-prosidont of the Weslcyan revolve around each other like the wheel in E/ckiel's
Conference), after which the funeral (orUjy proceeded vision ad hJiNt'lUM,
to Lime Street Station, from which place the mourners, It is stated that the heavens looked dark and
with their charge, travelled via Holyhcad to their des- sombre, a complete darkness at one lime, without a
tination. Preceding the hearse, a large number of the glimmer of light for millions of years 1
employes of the deceased, and several gentlemen I supposed this dense and gloomy haze to have been
closely connected with the late Mr. Fowler in charged with humidity, bnt since writing my last I have
business, walked to the station. In the mourning made the discovery that such was not the case, but
coaches were the Rev. James Fowler, vicar of East that the cause of this darkness was the surface matter
Hanning Field, and Mr. W. Fowler (brothers of the of this globe in n state of sublimation.
deceased); Mr. G. W. Fowler (only son); Mrs. That some tremendous force had been applied which
William Fowler, Miss Fowler, and the Rev. Thomas disintegrated the particles, depolarizing the same, and
M'Cullagh (Wcsleyan minister). The mourning finally hurling the whole beyond the atmospheric
 The Seer and Celestial Reformer

region thousands of miles. Hence it is that I saw Here, then, I would introducescience, based
naked rocks but no soil or debris of any kind. upon the existence of another sense. I have seen this
These particles kept floating around this globe for cosmic dust. 1 know whence it came. The polarity
millions of years without showing any tendency to of those particles had been reversed in the far past, .
descend, until the return of the "life wave," and since which rendered them rcpcllant to the earth, and in
that advent cosmic matter has kept falling, sometimes that stale this dust defied the laws of gravity.
in the form of imperceptible dust, and at other times But when the life wave returned, the floating parti-
in meteoric showers of lerolitcs; nor will this earth cles began to resume their former mode of existence.
have attained its majority, or its primitive glory, until At the first, showers of stones of immense size fell
every grain of its original dust returns from its long to this earth in all directions. After these stones
exile amid the realms boundless ether. of smaller dimensions, and at the present time it is
^ cs, brothers, that dust upon which angels once rarely that a very large rerolite falls.
walked, angels of whose greatness we can form no The fact is that the grosser matter has nearly all
conception of in this day, this same must be restored descended.
ere this world will be a fit platform for such beings to T-ast year constituted one of those epochs in the age
tread upon again. of this world. This epoch began in 1880 ; it extends
We often hear persons speak of the " end of the to 1900.
world," even men possessing much intelligence have in During this interval showers of cosmic matter will
the pas; wrote upon this subject, supposing that such be falling more frequently than has been for 8,000
might take place at any lime. years!
Jiut such is puerile weakness. For such would be The people of this earth w»ll witness grander displays
impossible at the present stage of the world's develop- of meteoric showers by day and by night than has ever
ment. been witnessed by mankind. But the last shower will
The Great Architect works all according to a plan. fall before the end of 1,900.
That plan is the design of infinite wisdom, a wisdom Then the cosmic conditions will be perfected, and
that leaves no room for an accident to come. He our race will enter upon a new era, the nature of
doelh all things after the order of His own will, and which will be dwell upon in future papers.
this omnipotent will is guided by infinite wisdom. One particular I may here point out: That a great
I feel it necessary to give a perfect sketch or outline change is taking place in the order of vegetation, in
of this earth's surface up to its perfected stage in the consequence of this surface becoming more and more
present paper, and afterwards I shall devote my pen to approximated to the higher conditions.
details. The grosser species of vegetable food, consisting of
I have already alluded to the necessity for every root crops now provided for animals as well as our-
particle of cosmic matter to be restored before this selves, will gradually go out of existence.
globe of ours becomes perfected. Such vegetables have only a forced existence even
At this stage it might be asked is there yet much now, and it has been staled by men of science that
more to fall ? Or, will the lime be long ere the whole such articles as are forced are not as nutritive as others
be perfected ? that are produced in a more natural way. Yet mankind
My reply to such is as follows: The past year of heeds not; he goes on in the same old way, in spile
1883 was rendered rather noted, in consequence of of every warning.
those gorgeous sunsets and sun-risings, which attracted But we will ullitnalcly find that those laws we now
the attention, and elicited the admiration of mankind disregard and infringe with impunity, will at last com-
over the world ; for in every clime this phcnomcnom pel us to submit. The fact is that if mankind does
was witnessed. not conform to what nature is now prescribing, he will
Many have been the surmises both of the vulgar ultimately find it an impossibility to hold properly in
crowd and of the scientific world. animals. For the more food becomes forced, the less
I believe that some of our men of science have come is it nutricious; and the less nutricious, the more
very near the truth in supposing it to be showers of poisonous.
"cosmic dust" falling, and the sun's rays falling upon It is a law of nature that the grosser must give place
the same. '• to the more refined. At the earlier periods of this
Such a supposition is true, for such it was. But world life existed in more unwicldly forms, beings
whence came that dust ? There science is at a stand, then existed of more gigantic proportions. But these
it cannot conduct its votaries any further. gross forms have died out. Even so will it eventually
 Tlie Seer and Celestial Reformer

be with a great proportion of what is now called food village of Edgwarc, Handel was overtaken by a shower
both for man and beast. It will pais away, and if we of rain, that he took refuge in a roadside smithy, heard
cling to what is doomed we shall share the same fate. the blacksmith singing at his work, and beating time
Alijus Magus. to the performance upon the anvil at which he was
(To be Continued.) hammering, and then went home and wrote a set of
variations upon the tune the blacksmith sang. The
name of this humble songster is said to have been
SKETCHES OP OREAT MUSICIANS. Powell. This anvil became the properly of William
No. I. SnoxcII, Charterhouse Square, London, and was sold
by auction to Mr. Maskelync, Egyptian Hall, for ^14,
HANDEL (Continued). 12th July, 1879.
As these papers arc only intended to be a sketch of The " Coronation Anthem " was composed for the
his life, I have already gone into detail sufficient, as accession of George H. 1727.
others will have to come. I shall now briefly dwell The first performance of " Saul" took place at the
uj.on the principal features of the great composer's King's Theatre, i6lh January, 1739.
life. He fiist visited London in December 1710 and The next great oratorio was " Israel in Egypt."
became as one of us. His whole life then tp the This is one of the most gigantic constructions in the
close was one scene of struggles and triumphs. He contrapuntal art. A scries of colossal double choruses,
• was at one time the lessee of Drury Lane Theatre, depicting scenes to which they refer with irresistible
and hu wrote many Operas, among the most success- power. The cry of the oppressed Israelites; the once
ful was "Rinaldo." This was received with a degree bright Nile, now rolling downwards in waves of loath-
of enthusiasm quite unprecedented in England. The some gore; the clammy reptiles forcing their repulsive
original M.S. no longer exists in a connected form. presence into the king's chambers ; the swarm of flies;
On the 6th February, 1713 he brought out his the crashing hailstones ; and the fire th.it ran along the
"Birthda/ Ode," and a little later the Utretch "Tc ground in burning streams, represented by the long
Deum," first performed in St. Paul's Cathedral in dragging passages of quavers, each digging a blazing
commemu.ation of the Proclamation of Peace, after- furrow as it passes along; the destroying angel; and
wards followed his "Jubilate," both these compositions then the calm beauty of the departure of the chosen
were highly received at Court, and during the next people. No artist could paint better, or no words
thirty years it was used at St. Paul's alternately with could express the grandeur of this oratorio, one of the
Purcell's "Te Deum," for the benefit of "The Sons great composer's best.
of the Clergy," when it was laid aside. (To be Continued.)
On 22nd August, 17x5, the Royal Family accom-
panied by suite, proceeded by water from Whitehall to Paper covers, 32 pages. Paper price 3d. By Post, 3 fid
Limehouse. While the progress of this water party
CHRIST
was going on, Handel's " Water Music," a scries of
instrumental movements for two solo violins, flute, By J. M. PEEBLES, M.D.
piccolo, two hautboys, one bassoon, two horns, two Contents:
trumpets, supported by a full string band, was perfor- Chap. —Jewish Evidence of Jesus* Existence.
med, and it was very graciously received; for that after- jj 2.—Who was Jesus, and What the New Test-
wards he received a pension of ^20© a year in addi- ament Says of Him.
lo the one granted by Anne of Denmark. The greater 3.—What the more Candid of Free-Thinkers
part of this M.S. seems to be also lost. and Great Men generally, think of Him.
4.—Estimaleof Leading American Spiritualists.
His next oratcrio was "Esther," which was per-
formed at Cannons, 1720, on which occasion the Duke „ S-—Was Jesus of the Gospels Christ?
6.—The Commands, The Divine Gifts, and
presented Handel with ^1,000. "Esther" was a
The Spiritual Teachings of Jesus Christ.
very fine specimen of the contrapuntal art. Also
7.—The Belief of Spiritualists—The Baptised
" Acis " and " Galatea " were composed shortly after- of Christ—The Church of the Future.
wards. Numerous other pieces were composed of
' wlxich the world knows not except by name. London ; J. J. Morse, The Progressive Literature
"Tt was about this time that he wrote his first set of Agency, 201, Euston Road, N.W.
lessdns Tor harpsichord ; the fifth lesson terminates
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 No. 6.—Vol. i. DECEMBER 1884. One Penny.

OCCULT TEACHINGS. brought to bear upon such persons, so that they

In past numbers of this journal we have devoted will be obliged eventually to look up the "ancient
by far the greater portion of our space to that landmarks," and once again come to those prim-
which lies beneath and beyond all phenomena, itive principles propounded by the Great Master,
which we denominated the re^lm of causation. and reiterated by his primitive followers, or at
We have pointed out in unmistakeable terms that once fall in with the Materialists, as numbers have
done and are now doing.
ideas are universal and eternal. That all inspi-
ration springs from one source, and that this Self-development is man's one great mission
source is infinite. and after having pointed out those powers which'
We look upon these as radical truths ; as bases lie latently in every person on the face of this •
upon which we may in safety raise an edifice globe, our next question is " how are we to
which will prove impregnable to those attacks develop these Divine energies?" Some one may
which may, from time to time, be made by the say: "We read of inspiration, but the question .
votaries of a respectable, and consequently a is now am I to become the subject of so high and
popular materialism; whether it be under the holy a gift ?" It will be our business in this
garb of religion, or with the dignified assumptions chapter to point out one grand aid towards!-
of a pleasing and plausible philosophy. developing the inspirational—this is education.
The apostle S. Paul says in one of his epistles: Not what passes as education, and is substituted
" For we look not at the things that are seen, but for education, for there is an unnatural kind of
at the things that are not seen, for the things training by which the spirit is beclouded, the in-
that are seen are temporal, but the things not tellect is cramped, and which, in a number of
seen are eternal.'* instances, tends to bring the victims towards a
These are significant words, they at once stamp premature grave. We are here alluding to that
the apostle as being an occultist. system of "cramming" with a view of passing
How very differently do the modern admirers of some dread ordeal in the shape of an examination,
the apostle treat such a subject I These senti- the preparation for which, in a number of instan-
ments are now reversed ; in the 19M Century they ces, is simply a process of torture to both pupil
read thus: 11 We look at the things that are seen, and teacher, ana that for weeks and months
and not at the unseen, we leave sucn to be brooded prior to the appointed time. Yet the public are
on by mystics and spiritualists." content with this sort of thing, and the public
And although these may not be the direct examiner dubs the successful pupil with being
utterances (which in many instances would be far " efficient," should he be anle to answer his ques-
more honest than the present mode of duplicating tions in those subjects upon which he may be
matters), nevertheless, judging from the treatment tested. .t : ■
such subjects receive at the hands of these But in the mean time the successful candidate
persons, and, moreover, the persecuting spirit may have ruined his health and injured his brain
they exhibit towards those who may regard the for the remainder of his life. , . .
unseen with that interest which such a theme Nevertheless, there is sue :h a thing as a healthy
demands', one is tempted at times to come to the education. This aims at the development of ourj
conclusion—possibly a rash one—that what may hidden powers, and bringing out the intellectual
be] termed Christianity can scarcely be and the. spiritual in combination. This is-tHe^
£4 designated a spiritual institution. thing which a true education aims at-«ccom**
Whji, .But there is a pressure now beginning to be plishing.
 THE SEER AND CELESTIAL REFORMER

Nature in her various unfoldments, her not awake up the royal personage by that process
variegated hues, her multifarious aspects, her alone.
dulcet harmonies, and her enchanting scenes is There are other doors behind these. . You can-
the real educator of man. These properties tend not get through these with hammering on the
to call forth from our being an element, the outside. These must be opened, and for this
existence of which we may not have been con- purpose there is a golden key, which by diligent
scious of previously. A fire may have been search you may find, and, finding, you may enter
kindled apparently for the first time, which has even the holy of holies. Yes, as Alladin had first
subsequenty shed a light divine upon what had to find the entrance to the cave, he had afterwards
before time been darkness and chaos. And that to descend unknown depths in order that he
teacher who can approach the nearest to nature might find the lamp. Having done so the process
^ill be the most successful one, and will be most was afterwards easy, he had but to rub it! Even
esteemed eventually, although during the time so the wise teacher having found the lamp, he has
being he may not be considered the most brilliant only to rub a little, and the gentle zephyrs of
as measured by the standard of a stiff, formal, and inspiration may be heard in the "mulberry trees."
really superficial scholasticism. Such teachers We are alluding to 'the real and the true, for
resemble the wise physicians, whose chief aim is to we look not at the things that are seen, which are
work with nature and thus assist her, and not to temporal and consequently shadowy; but we
frustrate her in her operations by being over look to those things which, being eternal, are
officious. substance and verity. Death will break down
The wise teacher resembles Alladin in the the outer gates; but there is a building beneath
"Arabian Nights," with his wonderful lamp, this outer shell which is not subject to dissolution.
who had but to rub a little and up came a mighty The lessons written upon the pabulum of the
genius. Even so when a healthy method of educa- brain way be defaced ; but the lessons that are
tion is adopted by the wise teacher, he becomes engraved upon the immortal soul can never be
in reality a mightier magician than Alladin, for blotted out.
he will be in a position to conjure up from those We will now apply what we have been expati-
mystic depths of human nature the genii of ating upon by very familiar references. Each of
hallowed inspirations. us is acquainted with the term feclinz in its appli-
May the day soon dawn when our great teachers cation to our bodily sensations. When the body
will no longer be compelled to hide themselves in comes in contact with an object, whatever be
unrecognized comers of the earth, but when they the attributes of that object, the same will be im>
shall be in demand, and become the recipients of parted to our sensations, that is providing our
that honour they have long merited. We do not nervous system be in a healthy condition, other
in this chapter pretend to give the modns operandi things being equal. If the object be rough,
of such a method of education, the task is too smooth, hard, soft, hot, or cold, it feels to our
great. There are other and abler pens than our sense as such; it produces certain sensations
own which are better qualified to do justice to such affecting our consciousness. The brute creation
a subject; and as this is an all-important theme possesses something akin to these, at least so far
upon which hangs the weal or the woe of future as our observation extends. But we have no
generations, we trust that such hints as have now reason for supposing that the brute realizes
been given may lead to further thought and those finer distinctions between the different
maturer reflection, for whatever tends to true sensations as we do.
development tends to show forth the glory of the But there is another sense behind the outer
Tnfinite Majesty Himself through the nnite. one, and when this is developed as it ought to be,
The work that the real educator has to do is to will also be capable of sensing what the outer
open those different doors which constitute the sensations cannot appreciate.
entrances into the mystic temple. The five The aura of a person who may have inhabited
outer ones are easily found, but the inner ones are a certain house many years ago still lingers, and
not so conspicuous, hence it is that the modern may be felt by one having this inner sense
mode of training is to keep up an incessant ham- developed. The psychic nature coming in contact
mering at the outer gates, without apparently with psychic emanations feels the same as natu-
having any regard to anything beyond these. rally as when the outer organism comes in contact
But the wise teacher can find other entrances witn another of a grosser nature. To such as
than these, and knowing of such, can point out have this inner sense awakened, the stone or the
with unerring certainty a passage leading down board upon which the blood of a murdered man
to the " King's chamber." has been shed at some far back period, contains
■ Yes, brothers, there is a place which we call the the lingering aura which reveals to the sensitive
"King's chamber" located within the innermost the whole ofthe awful tragedy. And were this
recesses of our nature. Vou may knock at the sense more generally developed, cxizne would have'
five outer gates as much as-you like, but you will a poor chance of hiding itself.
 THE SEEB AND CELESTIAL REFORMER.

There ever have been persons of this type who the epic element prevails over every other. The
could trace a criminal from house to house, from story of the Nativity is an admiable picture. The
town to town, along highways and byways, Vigil of the Shepherds is represented by the
through desert spots and among the haunts of tranquil Pifa, founded upon a Calabrein melody
men, across rivers and over mountains, thus doubtless of great antiquity. This wonderful
onward and onward for hundreds of miles. scene is brought to a climax in the chorus, "Glory
There are those who, by the aid of this sense, to God in the highest." The flashing aria
can place their feet upon spots beneath which "Rejoice Greatly," followed by the promise of
exist perrennial springs; and in like manner thev comfort in the beautiful air " He shall feed His
can indicate where mineral treasures abound. flock." Of the other choruses "Lift up your
The matters we are now alluding to are facts of headsfrom this point, step by step, we are led
as reliable a character as any other fact, the on to the grandest climax of the whole, the
existence of which may have been proved by the glorious "Hallelujah," which so aflected the
outer sensations. audience when it was first given at Covent
But some mav ask the question as to whether Garden, that the whole assembly, with King ■
it be possible for any person to develope this George II. at their head, rose up, and remained
faculty ? Any person of sound mind and healthy so until the end of the chorus, a reverential
body may succeed to a certain extent according custom which has been observed throughout
to that amount of predisposition which he or she England from that day to this.
might possess. But each and all may succeed so The effect of the chorus on the great Master
far as to satisfy themselves as to the truth of what may be put in his own words, which he used to
we are now bringing before our readers. a friend on being asked as to the impression under
We are unable to enter into particulars as to the influence of which he composed it: "I did
what course to follow in order for persons to be- think I did see all Heaven before me, and the Great
come psychometrists. To do so in a general way God Himself!"
would be impossible, as each person would have Then the lively air " I know that my Redeemer
some peculiarity which his fellow might not liveth," the thrilling air "The Trumpet shall
possess. Therefore all that we can do on the sound," to the only other chorus that will compare
present occasion is simply to give a few hints in with the " Hallelujah," " Worthy is the Lamb,"
a general way, and we intend to continue this with its magnificent peroration, "Amen," these
subject in future papers. are the most colosssal structures of contrapartal
art of the time, and will never be surpassed ; and
had Handel written but this oratorio it would
suffice to recognize him as the greatest composer
Sketches of Great Mnsicians.
in the world.
The first performance of the " Messiah" took Mozart, in 1789, wrote some additional accom-
?lace in the New Music Hall, Fishamble Street, paniments to the " Messiah," which Haughmann
)ublin, on Tuesday, X3th April, 1742. As this naively compares as stucco ornaments on a mar-
grand Oratorio is (to all Englishmen, at any rate,) ble temple.
"as familiar as household words," it is unneces- The next Oratorio we shall briefly notice is
sary for me to add one word except in brief " Samson," fonnded on Milton's " Samson
history. It was first given in London, at Covent Agonistes." Handel must have begun to compose
Garden, 23rd of March, 1743. Two years before this immediately after the completion of the
Handel's arrival, two prisoners were suflfered to "Messiah,"asthescoredatesi743. After " Israel in"
die in the Four Courts, Marshalsea, from actual Egypt" and the " Messiah," Handel wrote more
starvation, and it says something for the human- in the dramatic style, as truly dramatic as if the
izing influence of art upon the mind of the great music had been intended for the stage, with its three
composer, that, touched by the sufferings of the indispensables—scenery, dress, and action. Each
poor creatures, he dedicated the choicest produc- character speaks for itself, and it is only where,
tion of his genius to their relief, realizing at the the chorus comes in and comments upon the
performance /400, which sum he handed over to story that the dramatic form is suspended, and the
the relief of those imprisoned for debt. epic takes its place, for the time, in such a man-'
The principal singers were: Signora Abolio, ner as to add power to the picture and bring out
Mrs Gibber, and Messrs. Church and Ralph the meaning of the history with a vivid trutnful-
Roseingrave. The newspapers were so over- ness to which dramatic action alone could never1
whelming in their praise, that after a hi r.ly suc- have attained. Such a drama was " Samson."
cessful performance of " Baul" a general wish was Each character is delineated to the letter. The
expressed that the "Messiah** should be repeated, Hero himself or the pious Manoah, the hypocriti-;
it was consequently given again "by particular cal Delilah, the giant Harapha, are presented to'
desire of the nobility," on the 3rd ot June, with us as a painter does upon his canvas.
concerts for the organ. The part of Harapna is said to be a miracle of
Throughout the whole of the Oratorio ''Messiah11 Alt. In ordinary hands it must inevitably havr
 THE SEEB AND CELESTIAL BEEOBMEB.

been either vulgar or weak ; in Handel's it is sad result of our dissipated habits, and imploring
neither. He is represented as a coward, mean me immediately to reform. Before his ghost, or
enough to triumph over his humbled foe, Samson, spirit, and God 1 then vowed never again to taste
in his blindness, yet afraid to approach him too the drink. This is what caused me to become a
nearly, lest, giant as he is, he should be crushed sabbath school teacher, and my reason for wear-
to death. After all, this boaster is too much in ing this bit of blue ribbon ; ana, God helping'me,
earnest to be coarse. His meanness is so true to I hope to contiuue to wear it until 1 join my
nature that it brings out the true greatness of disembodied companion..'
Samson's character with a tenfold force. The S. S. C.
great chorus, "Fixed in his everlasting seat," is
another instance of this great Fugue writer's
An Important Announcement.
powers. Handel is said to have wept during the
singing of " Total Eclipse," as in the latter part The noble brothers of the " Inner Temple "
of his life he was like the hero of his oratorio, have proposed that the first number of the Occuliri
quite blind, and this touching air to the words
"Total Eclipse 1 no sun, no moon, all dark, within be a double number. And they have most gene-
the blaze of noon," came home to the heart of rously offered to make up deficiencies of a financial
the great composer with great force. character in the first number. They are pushing
the sale of our paper most energetically% in order to
make our enterprize a success to ourselves, and a
A Drunkard Declaimed by a Ghost. great boon to all classes of readers. We there-
To the Editor of The Seer. fore urge upon each member of the B.F.S.O. that
Sir, they do all they can to get subscribers, and that
Experience has taught me to appreciate the
such subscriptions be sent in with as little delay
admonition recorded in Job xxxiii, 14-16, That
Qod.will endeavour to lead us by dream or vision, as possible.
and the result of our neglecting such may be The Editor of the Occulist.
some great evil befalling us.
Having expressed this belief to a fellow traveller
on the Furness railway, and advanced an opinion
NOTICES.
on the probability of our still receiving guidance
and instruction from our spirit guardians, and a The first number of_ The Occulist will appear in
- higher order of intelligencies when desiring such, January, 1855, which will contain an able article,
in a receptive condition, the expression of this
belief elicited from my travelling companion the entitled—
The " Veil of' Isis,"
ordinary orthodox belief seasoned with predesti-
nation. However, this belief did not prevent his Bv "Zanoni."
V..-relating an incident which to many would appear
only imagination, therefore he avoided very It is in deference to a very ancient and honour-
frequent allusion to it, which is one reason for able order of Occulists, the H.B., of L. that The
my witholding names.
Mentioning the name of a deceased person Seer and Celestial Reformer, will, after the'
Jcnown to me, he said : " I might remember what cuzrent number, be published as The Occulist.
convivial companions they were, in fact, quite out
of their element unless under the influeuce of
drink. One unfortunate result of this was the Allorden and remittances to be sent to Mr. John
shocking premature death of my companion." Thomas, KivgsJey, by Frodsham..
However, death does not end all, nor place our
friends beyond a gulf impassable to those desirous The Trade supplied on most liberal tei-ms.
of benefittmg humanity. Our friends are requested to get the names and
Possibly this case was that of a working man addresses qf those willing to become agents, so that
accustomed to do things himself. A useless a lilt qf such might appear in this Paper.
appeal was not made to Abraham, to send some
one to warn his brethren; and probably this One copy of this Paper sent for twelve months,
humble working man soon became a ministering post free, for 1161 two for 2/6,
spirit, as he appeared a few days after transition All correspondence must be written in a clear
or death, at^ tne^ bedside of this companion "as plain hand writing, on one side qf the paper only.
real and distinct,*£be paidi as if on the seat oppo-
site to him then.y^hen in his familliar way as
Pnoted and Publitbed for the Piopnetor by Bottomley Bros.
when alive, but; rapflfr earnestly, he alluded to the Hope Street, Mtncheiler Road, Bradford.