CHAPTER V.

Further review of the Dream-" The mark in the hand"-The words of "The

Voice" accompanying-" The Shoe"-Mind in a perfectly calm, and placid

state, after an outburst of excitement-Its consequence

CHAPTER VI.

40

The Asylum-Argument with "The Voice"-Reasons-It communicates the

Author's secret-Proves itself thereby of supernatural order-Awe producing

· consequences-The Invisible Spirit-Argument-Exercise of the mind to

believe it a delusion-Dispelled by THE VOICE OF GOD-Sentence-

HELL-Light-Hope--"The Voice"-CHRIST-SAVED-Comforted—

The SIGN established-Heart overwhelmed-Teaching of "The Voice❞—

Form of prayer to be observed in future-Instructions for worship-Caution

-Permission given to write "The Dream," and title suggested-Commu-

nications-The Coalition Ministry foretold in letters of Phosphorescent Fire

on the walls of the dungeon-THE VISION

CHAPTER VII.

45

The Vision continued-THE LIGHT-End of the Vision-The Jew-Further

Instructions of The Voice"-The "Call"

66

74

CHAPTER VIII.

Opinions of the "Dream" by "fathers”—Sudden conversions-Danger of

excesses in consequence-Examples-"The white feather"-Cardinal

Wiseman-Roman error-Old prophecy-The third epoch of the world

-Entreaty

89

CHAPTER IX.

Rev. Chas. Beecher, brother of Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe "Spirit Mani-

festations"-Examination of the work-Extracts-Warning of " Habbakuk”

to "table turners "The Movement"—Question raised, "Natural law with

Spirits" or "Natural law without Spirits"-" Odyle"-Dismissal of the

scientific hypothesis, as applicable to the Vision-God's own work-Faith-

God gives the increase—Mesmerism, and Clairvoyance, explained.

CHAPTER X.

96

Tribulation and disappointment to be expected-"The indescribable fear”-

Appeal Reasonings-The last night contemplated-The sure refuge from

its consequences

105

CHAPTER XI.

"Gamaliels" of the present day-Sectarianism-Its destiny-" Too familiar"

-Question-Egotism

CHAPTER XII.

112

Romanism-"No Popery" cry-Lukewarmness-What is it?-Zeal-What

is it?-Party or Principle?—Further reasonings-The Pope's inability to

save, or make agreement for his fellow-man-Christ the only Mediator-

Very strong inference to be drawn, from concluding remark of the chap-

117

ter

CHAPTER XIII.

A Maxim "old as the hills"-An old falsehood-Further examinations and

comparisons of the Vision with the "signs of the times"-Dr. Cumming-

Simeon-Recent prophets-Prepare for 1872-The Coming Rest-" Arch-

bishop of Canterbury" and "Dr. Newman"-Roman error, and Protestant

error-The unlearned man-A reason for believing in the Vision-The

Times-its power to crush-Fanaticism-its power to deal with the Vision-

Satire's weapon-All risked―The truth of the prophecy all prevailing —

Joel's

CHAPTER XIV.

123

A faithful friend, not flattering foe-Ingenuous information-The question

considered "Mad upon one point?"-Refer to " Twenty Years of a Tra-

veller's Life"-The preface-The mysterious beings again referred to-

Comparison of the Vision with the prophecies of the Bible-The seventh

heaven considered in reference thereto-Very important consideration-

Infidelity incapable of receiving the doctrine of Spiritualism—Scripture

Roman Catholicism, and Romish ascendancy, again considered-The sign

of the Vision again referred to-The Three Figures-Short refutation of

the claims of the Roman Catholic Church, to being the first to spread

Christianity, in Great Britain
146

CHAPTER XVI.

Correspondence-Reasons, for withholding the greater, and more essential,

portion of it-Varied nature of the same-The letters of a Spirit—Its sign-

manual-Its claims examined, and refuted-Gideon-General remarks—

Gratitude (of a sort)-THE GREAT YEAR

153

CHAPTER XVII.

The Fast-Day-Dr. Cumming-Rev. W. Robbins

CHAFTER XVIII.

180

A Canvass-Its accompaniments-Encouraging opinions of my projects

reviewed-The Rev. Irving-Sheridan Knowles-Rev. Wm. Brock-

The question put whether sane or mad-Charity-its use and its abuse

-Dr. Johnson-Domestic affairs-Another remarkable instance of "The

Voice"-A few more words and Farewell

NOTES

184

200

Letter to Robert Owen on the Spiritual Manifestations to him, as published in

the "Spirit World," for May, 1853; bearing his signature

209

PREFACE.

It is no very great compliment to a book, for another to follow it, in the form of a "Key," as an explanation of its predecessor; and the more especially, when the "Key" may fall where no lock is to be found to fit it, as will, in many instances, be the case, where this volume finds its

way.

For the satisfaction of the general reader, it may, therefore, be as well to observe at the outset, that it is not absolutely necessary they should be together; all that is essential of the volume this elucidates and explains, will be found and included with new matter, in the following pages. The subject of real importance being contained in the VISION, which this book wholly embraces, and which, in its predecessor, "Midsummer Mornings' Dream," was only partially published, for reasons, the reader will find set forth in the present volume.

The writer has very little to add to the truths he has already committed to the public; his wonder that fiction should be preferable to fact, as exemplified in the comparative demands for one, and the slight regard paid to the

other, in some measure ceases, as he becomes better acquainted with the nature and process of publishing.

There are gigantic establishments, can create a demand for the most mediocre productions; when, if the same force be employed against another class, if it were written by a pen, from an angel's wing, would smother it in its birth almost. 66 It is easy to say, a work of merit will find its way" against all opposition, either with, or without capital; let any one read an article on "Authors and Publishers," in the "New Quarterly Review" for January, 1854, and if he comes not from its perusal, a convert to a different opinion, then figures, as well as facts, must give way to fiction.

Be that, however, as it may, the writer in this respect cannot be much a loser, thanks to his personal friends; and as for gain, he is altogether indifferent to it-all he wishes, is, for his work to be read-he is satisfied of its importance; and also, that in it, will be found the truth of the saying, "Fact is stranger than fiction."

Had the writer of these pages permitted his thoughts thus to remain imprisoned, since his first appearance as an Author,