Mr. Hogarth had spelled out the answers.

"I am staggered," said Francis. "The general answers might have been
given at random, but the names, I am convinced, were unknown to every
one here except myself."

"It always is the names that convince people," said a friend of the
host's.

"I have asked some questions as to the future," said Francis. "I do not
know if it is allowable to do so. Do your spirits claim to have a
knowledge of what is to come?"

"Oh, yes; they do--those of the highest class in particular," said Mr.
Dempster.

"I do not see how they can," said Francis musingly. "To know the future
is a prerogative of Omniscience, and even the highest created
intelligence cannot tell what His purposes may be."

"How do we guess at the future with sufficient accuracy to direct us in
the present but by generalization from experience? Now, a departed
spirit certainly has had a wider experience--sees more into other souls
and their workings than we can possibly do while encumbered with these
robes of clay--and consequently can make a juster generalization," said
Mr. Dempster.

"But not an infallible one?" said Francis.

"No; certainly not," said Mr. Dempster.

"But, as to the present, their views are sure to be correct?" said
Francis.

"If they are good spirits, and not lying spirits. We prayed against
their appearance, and I do not believe that the spirit who has been
communicating with you was of that kind," said Mr. Dempster.

"How, then, do you judge between lying spirits and true ones?" asked
Francis.

"By the nature of their communications. A false or an immoral message
cannot be delivered by a good spirit."

"Then you still continue to be the judges of the spirits? You do not
bow your morality to theirs--you select and reject as you see good?"

"Morality is universal and eternal," said Mr. Dempster. "Even God
himself cannot make evil good or good evil by any fiat of his own."

"Then have these manifestations taught you anything that could not have
been otherwise learned?" asked Francis.

"They have taught ME much that I could not have otherwise learned. I
cannot say what other people may attain to through pure reason or
through a simple faith in the revealed will of God. There are
diversities of administration, but the same spirit," said Mr. Dempster,
with a simple earnestness that weighed much with Francis. But here Mr.
Dempster's attention was called to a message from an old friend who had
j