t
the same time there are many in the Christian Church of undoubted piety
and intelligence who are believers in Spiritualism. After all, however,
they are the exception rather than the rule. Amongst all sects there is
a condemnation of Spiritualism of a very sweeping character. In this one
thing Wesleyans, Low Churchmen, and Congregationalists are agreed. The
outer world, the Secularists and the Positivists, of course regard
Spiritualism with the same scorn and unbelief with which they regard all
religion, whether true or false, whether old as the hills or but
yesterday's creation.

"It is wonderful that five thousand years have now elapsed since the
Creation of the world, and still it is undecided whether or not there has
ever been an instance of the spirit of any person appearing after death.
All argument is against it, but all belief is for it." Such is a
sentence I borrow from Dr. Johnson. It is as applicable to the present
time as to that in which he lived.

In conclusion, let me add, as a distinct organization, hitherto
Spiritualism has failed in this country. I hear nothing of the
_Spiritual Athenaeum_ now, nothing of Mr. Harris, either as preacher or
poet, very little even of Mr. Home. Strange that a man who could not
write an ordinary note decently should have been a favourite medium of
the spirits. I am aware, however, the Spiritualists will extract an
argument out of that last remark of mine in favour of Spiritualism. A
young Jewish convert it is said would go to Rome. His teacher, a priest,
feared, knowing Rome too well. On his return he questioned his pupil as
to what he saw in Rome. "Ah!" said he, "I am persuaded now your religion
is of God, otherwise it would have perished of the wickedness of its
professors."

THE CAMPBELLITES.

In America of late years there has been an enormous increase of what are
called the Campbellites. They now number in that country 500,000, have
fifteen colleges, and a large university with 800 students; they have
2000 churches, and 1000 regular ministers. They are also well
represented as regards literature. They have one quarterly, six or seven
weeklies, two ladies' magazines, and several Sunday-school papers. In
London they are not a numerous class. They have places of worship in the
Milton Hall, Camden Town, and in College Street, Chelsea. The truth is,
as regards chapels and churches, public worship is as much a social as a
religious institution