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THE HERALD OF PROGRESS. V o l . 1 . ] SA. J. t 274 Canal St. (Up Stairs.) S NEW YORK, SATURDAY,- SEPTEMBER 22, 1860. ( Payable in Advance. ( [No. 31. C O N T E N T S O F T H I S N U M B E R . . D ic k .. also been developed as a reliable medium. , Blessings, once supposed to be beyond the A n s w e r s to C orrespondents .......................... p a g e 1 reach o f e a r t h l y c h ild r e n , co m e in a m o n g W h isp e r , ngs to co iir e s f o e d e s t s ................ 1 th c m _ t h r o u g h tJh e d a o r s a n d w in d o w s )ik “ the heat a n d light of the im p a rtial sun. He is not a m an to desire notoriety, or to court the excitem ent consequent upon journalism ; yet we think he m ight noiselessly unlock the cabinet of his spiritual experience. Others, still in sectarianism, may thereby be instruct ed a n d encouraged in the path of investiga tion. W h a t e v e r i s , i s G r e a t . B io g r a p h y o f D r . T h o s . U n it a r y H o m e s ...................................................... H a r m o n ia l L ig h t in t h e S o u t h ............... V o ic e s fr o m t h e P e o p l e ................................. N . Y . S p ir it u a l C o n f e r e n c e (115th S e s s .) T h e W o n d e r s o f N a t u r e ............................... L ik e -L ik e P ic t u r e s ............................................. O v e r t h e R iv e r ( P o e t r y ) ............................... T h e t w o O v a t io n s (E d i t o r i a l ) ...................... T h e P h il o s o p h y o f D i s e a s e ...................... W h a t is D oing in t h e R eform F ie l d ----- P er s o n s a nd E v e n t s ............................................ A B id f o r t h e C h u r c h e s ............................... D o in g s o f t h e M o r a l P o l ic e ...................... T ub S p i r i t ’ s M y s t e r i e s ................................... H a r m o n ia l B ook L i s t ...................................... T h e C o m m o n w e a l t h ........................................... A p o t h e o s i s ............................................................... A H om e w i t h i n r e a c h o f a l l ...................... Questions and Answers. ‘ The pow e r to p u t a question presupposes and gua rantees tho pow e r to answ e r i t. ” B R I E F A N S W E R S T O O U R C O R R E S P O N D E N T S . BY TH E EDITOR. F a t h e r G o d a n d M o t h e r N a t u r e . S. S. R ic h a r d s o n , W i s .— “ B rother D a v i s : Having read your productions, at least the most oi them, I am constrained to believe that you do not make any very plain distinction between mat ter, or nature and God. Yet here and there, 1 find what seems to be considerable distinction. Can you very soon express your views more clearly on this subject? Will you explain the difference, if there be any, between the laws of matter and the laws of God? ” A n s w er : For the fabrication of th a t com plicated and wonderful piece of mechanism, the hum an body, N a ture aud N a ture’s God brought forth their best tools and the finest of all material substances. B u t the princi ples by which they were governed, in the con struction of this sym m etrical organization, are simple as e te rnal t ru th itself. The essential principles of m a n ’s body and m ind are the same as the essential principles of N a ture a n d of N a ture’s God. For a better comprehension of the subject we would delineate the princi ples of m a n ’s b eing as the fixed life-energies of b oth God a nd N ature. Men seek in vain, a n d strive ineffectually w ith their am bitious logic, to separate the Deity from the principles of N a ture. B u t we a re more a n d m ore persua ded t h a t the higher a nd grander the intellect, th e less and less does i t a ttem p t to draw a line of distinction between the Laws of N a tu r e and N a ture’s God. The conception of an omnipresent intelligent spirit—which is the professed conception of all Christians—is nothing less than a conception of everywhere intelligent principles. Bean vines are, there fore, intelligent in clim bing poles ; and po tatoes are intelligently “ impressed ” to take a different course ; t h a t is to say, the vines and the potatoes cover principles that are self- intelligent, in accordance w ith which they grow and arrive a t their legitim ate fruition. All science is concerned exclusively with phenomena. Philosophy, on the other hand, proceeds to cultivate an acquaintance with Principles. A m aterial philosophy will dis cover only those laws by which m a tter and m echanism are universally regulated. But a spiritual or internal philosophy will probe the m o u n tains of m aterialism —will sweep over and“all through the vasty deeps of m a tter’s “ pomp, show, and circumstance ” —and can n o t a rrest its flight till the DIVINE HEART is felt, and the CENTRAL BRAIN is seen, as the fonntain-source of all recognizable em bodiments. Thence flow a ll the love of life and all the wisdom of order. The brain elaborates the order of the universe, and the H e a rt circu lates all the principles o f living love. Thus, all bodies a re actuated to and from one an other. This explains the secret of gravita tion between bodies in space. For want of better combining language, we venture to nam e th e Divine PIeart “ Mother Nature, and the Central Brain ‘ ‘F a ther God. ’ ’ W here fore i t is unseasonable to m ake any absolute distinction betw een God and N ature, but it is, at the same time, wholly unphilosophical to affirm th a t Matter is e ither N a ture or Deity. F o r N a ture is no m ore m a tter than God is N a ture. M atter is the c h a riot in which both “ F a ther a n d M other,” with their innum e ra ble a n gel-fam ily of all worlds and spheres, drive through the imm easurable fields of the universe, distributing the principles of love and wisdom. All the foregoing has been written for those -who a re painfully groping their way through theories a n d creeds, asking— “ Where is God, and what is N a tu re?” Our words are no doubt poor instrum e n ts for the transmission of our impressions, but we have, as far as possible, avoided circumlocution and useless redundancy. Perhaps the reader will discern th e m eaning of our w o rds; if so, lie or she may also discover wherein more lig h t is re quired. Let each contem p late reverently, and fraternally consider, the everlasting and incomprehensible subject before us. N o t O p e n t o P o o r F u n . M iller W . . . . , N ew castle . — This semi inspired a n d r a ther chaotic writer, is hereby informed th a t our departm e n ts are already num erously a n d well-supplied with profitable contributions. Tt is, therefore, impossible for us to inaugurate a special division to be styled the “ Fools Corner.” It has for a long tim e seemed to us quite sufficient for every wit, novelist, dram a tist, magazinist, satarist, and honest m an, to keep in his own private brain a spacious “ corner” for the safe storage of all the ordinary f u n a n d unresolved nebu la of his growing intellect. From this nebu lous depository each w it m ight extract suffi cient a m u sem ent for an hour’s conversation. But it is really too bad to write letters for the public from the inspirations o f t h a t nebulous corner. We like wit, a n d believe th a t d ecent m errim e n t is healthful, but we do earnestly protest against g e tting up fun j u s t as a boy would soar h is kite. True w it is spontaneous. A recital of the bloody horrors of the battles of Alma, Balaklava, and Inkerm ann, would about a s quick excite laughter as would some of the dreary, disjointed jokes which now and then get into print. If we should come to believe th a t our readers are really suffering for w a n t o f fun, we m ay be tem p ted to ap peal to their organs of m irth by q u o ting the ological platitudes from the New York Obser- B u t for the present we beg to pursue the even tenor of our way. ffljjispmnqs to ffiormjxotrbtixts. * TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.” S eth S., E l g in , I I I . —Do you uot remember that the question of “ Whatever is, is right,” was answered by us in number fourteen ? See a corres pondent’s question entitled “ What is Evil?” If that reply does unsatisfy our Brother, will he state exactly wherein it is not satisfactory? Per sons are never absolute, never perfect. Perfection and absoluteness are qualities attributable only to impersonal principles. M. A. C. A., E a s t p o rt , Me.—Your loving thoughts and words of cheer arrived at their pro per destination. It certainly is not best that you should be influenced from the other sphere. Your spirit is unfolding its petals in a more unimpas sioned manner. This quiet and unobtrusive “ in fluence” is the finest and most productive of genu ine progress. It thrills our souls with delight to learn that your “ house is one of the happiest little kingdoms on earth.” B. T., M ic h . —Write to Dr. R. T. Hallock. He is duly authorized to make engagements for Dod worth ’s Hall platform. This friendly correspond ent is somewhat annoyed with “ some people.” He says: “ It is amusing to think of what an awful amount of responsibility some people seem to think rests upon their shoulders. If they had a commission from God Almighty, as vicegerents of all things here below, they would not or could not well be more meddlesome or fault-finding.” H enry S , B eaver C rf . ek , III.—Glad to get a brotherly message from a live man—one who works his farm six days every week, and then, on the seventh, preaches the gospel of individual im mortality and progress. O u t o f t h e C U u r c I i . W il l i a m G., I o w a .— We congratulate this correspondent upon his recent birth from the 60 ul-cram ping womb bf sectarianism. He now lives a n d worships in the holy light of N a ture's im m u table principles. I rcedom and felicity walk hand-in-hand through the once unfertile gardens of his mind. His son has “ J e f f e r s o n ,” N. Y.—It is not necessary to “ give yourself wholly up” to spirit-coutrol, except during that holy hou^ of the day when you desire to receive conscious evidence of such angel minis tration. Be prompt aud systematic in all your spiritual and temporal relations. There is no pro gress in abandon and chaos of character. F annie A. G., B attle C reek . —Agony is some times better than luxury. Your affection for the departed darling boy is stronger than your love of immortal wisdom. Now, Sister, will you not honor the highest faculties of your deathless spirit by voluntary devotion to the cause of good will and peace on earth ? By wedding your spirit to what you deepest love, for the whole world’s sake, y become a magnet irresistably attractive to your angel boy. Remember that, in this sphere, death separates us only from the external association of our beloved. “ Nothing is our own: we hold our pleasures Just a little while, ere they are fled; One by one life robs us of our treasures; Nothing is our own except our dead. They are ours, and hold in faithful keeping, Safe and forever, all they took away. S. E. B Your letter and Poetry are received. “ He sliall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Beyond the clouds and darkness of the present, gleams the clear sunshine of happiness. Never despair. C aroline B , M. D ., U tica , N . Y Thanks for your kind note and generous appreciation. The missing numbers are now forwarded to you from office. E. J . B., C rystal L ake , M c H enry Co., I l l — Let us have another letter from “ Cousin,” with the “ Now and Forever” notice revised and im proved. Then you shall hear from us if desirable. N. D. U., B erlin H igutb , O h io .— Suffering friend: let the forests aud the low music of autumn winds and the calm sunsets and the beautiful sky speak to thee and console thee. Hearken to Na ture’s voices, for they bring consolation; and by and by they will teach thy anguished heart the truth that thy darling child lives and loves thee. Reflect that, through thee, immortal life and hap piness have become the birthright of. thy precious one, who is now rejoicing in the Better Laud. “ Dreams cannot picture a world so fair— Sorrow and death may not enter there; Time doth not breathe ou its fadeless bloom, For beyond the clouds, and beyond the tomb, —It is there, it is there, my child!” J. P. C., L ondon , M a i -.•'• on C o ., O h io Your music for “ Eventide” isa valued token of apprecia tion. The recipient sends .you her grateful acknow ledgments. A m e l ia .”— We have carefully read your sisterly epistle. Its autobiographical information is in structive. Your early reverence for certain form s of truth was finally enlightened and emancipated by a better knowledge of truth itself. Wise as - -philosophers and “harmler as“ doves,” should be the motto of every true reformer. The cunning of the serpent” is cultivated by zealots and fanatics. Let us labor to enlarge the heart and improve the mind of every human being. G eorgia B. K., S anija Cruz, C a l . —Your letter respecting the Mansfield^fet is received. We do not just now know hov£ A n s w e r you. “ Let time and chance determine.” Perhaps we will refer to your experience again; wlic$ we come to make up a judgment on the meral.q&estion. T. W o o druff , s v a . — Your questions, Bro ther, will be ansv 1 when tire right hour shall dawn upon then We remember you—on the Court House stej t Waukegan. The next meet ing may be in tl far-off spheres of eternity. But always let the fi uternal aud the universal loves rule between us. C ounterfeit P r e s e n t m e n t s ” are received. They may come iuto a discussion about to be opened in certain quarters. W illiam T., K ankakee — We are compelled to ask the indulgence of every sick one who has writ ten for general instructions. It is our design to cure as many as is possible w.iliout infringffig upon the physiological laws of o own being. We shall soon reach the case you n. J. B. W., B e r l in H ig h t s , writes that “ a group of about twenty men, and women, and children first have the reading of our H era l d . It is then circulated among other groups, aud some of the copies are subsequently sent away to distant friends.” Such an appropriation of our labors awaken the liveliest emotions of gratitude. Music,” S t . M ark ’ s P la c e , N ew Y ork .— We can with confidence refer you to Mf. J. J . Wat son, who is now prepared to receive pupils, on the Piano, Guitar, and in the cultivation of the Voice, at his residence No. 39 Hudson Place. Of course, must know'that no teacher can manufacture a musician G. R ich a r d B ___ , P ortsmouth , V a . —On read ing your fraternal letter, or rather a moment be fore subjecting it to a psychometric impression, a black cloud settled down upon our table. The darkness was deep and dreary—a true index to your present conditions and spiritual circum stances. But slowly the cloud was penetrated by a glittering shaft of heavenly fire, until the cloud appeared as we fancy “ the burning bush” must have seemed to Moses, and then the dazzling vision vanished, leaving the table and our paper distinct as before. Nowall this was simply a subjective illustration of your present state and of your near ing future. We therefore urge you to cultivate an aspiring spirit for Love, Wisdom, and Liberty. Read and think and live ; do not sit for spiritual influence; and let the fruit of a well-ordered life grow as fast as it can. Brother: Worship at the shrine of Harmony ! The path thither is Pro-gres sion. N. B., S pr in g f ie l d , I I I — We look with grate ful admiration upon that Brother and Sister, who on the very threshold of a supposed true marriage, pause for a moment to consider the rights and to con sult the honest feelings of sincere friends. But far more do we rejoice over every fresh evidence given that believers in the Spiritual Philosophy enter upon the marriage relation with intelligent convic tions that the world may be advanced or tram melled by their offspring. We have written out the gospel of conjugal mating, and how to improve the children of sucli unions, in the fourth volume of Harmonia. T iiomas J. H., N a s h v il l e .— Thanks for the “ Few Thoughts.” We think they will appear. H erman S., R ockford — Your remittance, kind Brother, is added to the fund for procuring spirit ual books and progressive pamphlets for the prison ers at Sing Sing and elsewhere. Dr. E. A., sends us a philanthropic whisper, which may be interesting to all our readers.. We give it e n tire: A lb a n y , Sept. 7th, 1860. E ditor H erald of P rogress , D ear S ir : Not long since, a disembodied person spoke t<> me ini an audible voice, in the presence and hearing ol several responsible persons, and spoke thus: “ My own dear Father whatever you have to do, do it with all your might, for your work will soon be done.” “ What better work can I do, than to contribute | a trifle now and then, to make known to some poor Brother or Sister, through such papers as yours, the particulars of that divine gospel which is for the healing of all nutions. “ For that purpose I enclose... .with Fraternal Regard, E. A , M. I). L uoina IT., G olden H a l l , L a — Your pieces have been mailed to your brother in Ohio, I hey contain broadly liberal v ie w s , just statements, and pour forth a genuine strain of good will to man, but we decline them solely because we have in oui possession numerous contributions which better and more fully state your leading positions. But there are joy and light over your head, good friend; the inspirations of which we would have you send us for publication. “ B aton P ointer ,” on the S quare , N ew Y ork . —We have no knowledge of the case of “ dishon esty” to which you call our attention. We know nothing of the compilation from “ Marble Heart.” Please write to the journal wherein you met with the almost verbatim copy. E. W. K., G lenn ’ s FALLS.--The vision was re markable, and beautifully significant. The reason why you do not see more is explainable on the ground of cerebral excitements; whereby the im pressible surfaces of certain faculties are, for a serson, obscured and perhaps wholly eclipsed. You will not he disremembered. G eorge B .’ s communication is brimming over with the milk of human kindness ; but why, why should the milk be mixed with so much water. “ F em a l e E mployment ,” by B. C. M., S an A n to nio , T ex a s , is filed for appearance at the appro priatetime. “ O rthodox C atechism ” is expressively charac teristic of the melancholy theme. You may look for its publication soon. “ A lcor ,” V ermont — It is hardly possible in this lower sphere to escape the capricious and flat tering attachments of blood-love, but no soul should sacrifice its choicest devotions upon a shriue so unworthy. By thy letter we learn that thou hast not yet taken a single step toward the deeps of discord and sorrow. You will not, will you ? Be strong and silent yet longer; wait the development of existing circumstances. We expect light for you in a few days; then you will hear from us by letter. We think your prospect is lighted with a reasonable probability. F r ie n d H a dder , of R ic h l a n d , will accept our thanks for the facts, just received,of bis late Church trial. We congratulate him ou bis escape from the ordeal of an ecclesiastical inquisition. It is per fectly right and equitable for a religious body to govern its owtt-affairs, and to exercise jurisdiction over its members in accordance with the laws of its organization, and it should be deemed just equitable and proper for a person to withdraw peaceably whenever so inclined. Such an event ought not to generate any ill will between friend: and neighbors. It is as natural for the intelligent human soul to out grow a creed as it is for a child to walk forth from the confinements of cradle and the nursery. Who blames the child? Who con demns the man ? Answer: The lesser children and the creed’s supporters. W. 0. J., P h ii . mont , N. Y.—This correspond ent asks why we da not transform our H erald into the shape and style of the “ Scientific Ameri can?” He thinks it would be more convenient for preservation. A nsw e r : We have deliberately concluded that, for a time at least, the present form is best fitted to the newsy attributes of our publication. What shape we shall hereafter assume doth not yet ap pear. —We do not know of a resident clairvoyant whose powers would serve your purpose with_ cer tainty. 0 . C. II , N orth G roton .— The Ambrotypes have reached us in good condition. We shall pub lish them, difficult as it may seem to the uninitia ted. The pictures are life-like. When your in strument is again in order, and the retrospectional light is good, please take a few more “ views.” J ohn G erm an , of M t . M orris , N .Y . , is informed that the Brother, with whom he desires to open a correspondence, may be addressed, thus “ S. W. Butler, Charlestown, Ind.” D a vid T., P erry C it y — We will keep our upper windows open for Ihe admission of any practical light in your behalf. Already it is your privilege to occupy a plane of thought greatly superior to many popular scholars. More anon. —We would like to see a specimen of Dr. Dick’s handwriting. Itshall be promptly returned to you after examination. Your biographical sketch of the excellent philosopher is appreciated by the most of our readers. The subject matter will at tract very general attention. “ A nthropology .”— This term signifies the Science of Man. “ Esoteric” is a Greek word meaning private or hidden. The early philoso phers gave esoteric instructions to tlieir students, at which times the public was never admitted. The primative Christians held similar circles of in quiry and communion. See Josephus’ account ol the Essenes. P r o - P r e s id e n t D o u g l a s — An intelligent lady —Mrs. S. C. M.—writes us from Richland City, Iowa, as follows: “ The third day of August, as I was reading in tho Cincinnati Enquirer an account of the reception of Stephen A. Douglas, in Ver mont, (my mind being very much absorbed in what 1 was reading,) I heard a band of music playing a lively march. It sounded as if there were as many as thirty or forty musicians. The music and lime were perfect—so plain and vivid was it that I almost saw the crowd and the musi cians. I looked over the Enquirer's piece care fully to sec if the word “ music” or “ band of music” was mentioned, but it was not. Then I interpreted the vision this way: that Mr. Douglas was marching on to victory, that lie would carry Vermont at the next election, his native State also, and would be our next President.” [Rk- m a k k s : We would that Mr. G r e e l e y of the Tri bune could be influenced to solve the mystery in volved in our corespondent’s involuntary vision. Wherein, 0 Horace ! is the radical error—in the vision, or in the lady’s interpretation? Please j examine and elucidate.] The T eachings of N ature. “All are but parts of one stupendous whole.” For the Ilorald o f Progress. W hatever is, is Great. Q u e s t i o n : SHALL WE STRIVE TO BE GREAT, AND REFUSE TO BE LITTLE ? BY A BIO CHILD. And, spite of pride, in erring reason’s spite, One truth is clear, w h a t e v e r i s , i s b i g h t .” Pope. “ Look next on g r e a t n e s s : say where greatness lies:”— Ibid. There is no such thing as littleness ; all things are great. The smallest things are as great as things th a t are g reater. All distinc tions between things, relative to their size, have their origin in misconception a nd igno rance. Everything is great—everything has size—and the size o f one thing is ju s t the size of a n o ther thing. F a r back in the infinite depths o f the unknown ocean of unexplored immensity, there is no such thing as little ness—sm all things are not—everything is great, and as all things out-roll from this great ocean, in which nothing small is found, everything m u st be great th a t comes there from. As all things tend toward the g roat, boundless, unm easured, and unknow n ocean of f u turity, everything th a t is to compose a portion of t h a t ocean m u st also be great, for if there should be anything little therein, then the greatness of th a t ocean would not be infinite. Everything is great—everybody is great, squashes are great, nutm e g s are great—and there ir no grater. M ountains andm ole-hills, elephants a n d a n ts, the ocean and tho duck- pond, are alike great—in fact there is no dif ference between them ; they a re ail of a size. The “ breath of l if e \ is a steady, uniform breeze—it breathes upon a nd inflates all alike —there is no partiality in nature—our capac ities are a ll the same size, a n d we are inflated to their utm o s t extent. I would not have you infer t h a t I lim it these capacities—no, they are as unlim ited as nature, and we are therefore great as n a ture herself. I am not greater than you, a nd you are n o t greater than I. W hat though you measure my bodily corporosity jby the slender tape- measure of e a rth—and then clasping the same narrow ribbon around your own tenem e n t of clay, pronounce yourself smaller than myself —such term s a re all of earth, they mean no thing, they belong to a n undeveloped condi tion of society. You a re equally great w ith me, and we are both great alike. Boston Common is no greater than the New York City Hall Park, and the of the uni verse” is as g reat as all the rest combined. Daniel Lambert, the fat man, and Thomas Thumb, the dim inutive boy, are both great. The inhabitants of the spirit world “ where there is neither tim e nor space, ’ ’ look down upon them, and assure us th a t they are equal ly great curiosities, and th a t both are equally “ coming to time ” in the groat race of pro gression. The idea of littleness in respect to Thumb, or greatness in respect to Lam bert or the fat hoy, can only be entertained by persons on the Barnum or external plane of existence, who “ walk in a vain show. ” Sincorely and unhesitatingly I affirm th a t they a re both of a size—the same pantaloons would fit them , and w ith the Jewish m erchant of Chatham-st. I can exclaimf th a t Lam b ert’s coat is for Gen eral Thum b “ j u s t a fit—a beautiful f it.\ Is nature partial?—has she made one m an g reat er than a n o ther ?—no ! no ! The m iser who steals the coppers off from a deceased colored gentlem a n ’s eyes, has j u s t as great a soul as the poor widow who gave up her only hod for him to die on. W hen this beautiful philosophy shall e v e rywhere prevail, w h a t a revolution it will create in society. Mothers need no more lay off their children’s small clothes for larger ones—they will perceive th a t the little jacket and breeches are j u s t as large as coat and pan taloons—garm ents of onc measure, in short, ill answer for the whole family, for they arc all equally large, in tho beautiful ordi nance of n a ture. Procrustes ! thine was the true idea of greatness, and thy famous bed, the measure of all men. The g reat diversity of ideas th a t now exist, will melt into one, and no man shall say unto his brother. ‘ en- tertein great ideas,\ for all shall possess the one idea—th a t a ll things are e q u a l l y great. I am about to publish a book of L.GOO pa- ges, us that will be no greater than one of 10 hlch the above ideas will bo dif- pages, in wim.** , , [used through as many form , of speech or construction of sentences, as he English lan guage will a f f o r d — though those forms will none of them be greater than the ones em ployed in this article.
