t was one of their
leading regulations never to permit the existence of the society to be
known or the members thereof named, until they passed from earth to
the higher life. It is in virtue of this last clause that I am at
liberty to say that Lord Lytton, the Earl of Stanhope, and Lieut.
Morrison (better known as "Zadkiel"), and the author of "Art Magic,"
belonged to this society.

I should have known but little of its principles and practices, as I
was simply what I should now call a clairvoyant, sought out by the
society for my gifts in this direction, had I not, in later years,
been instructed in the fundamentals of the society by the author of
"Art Magic." When modern spiritualism dawned upon the world, for
special reasons of my own, the fellows of my society gave me an
honorary release from every obligation I had entered into with them
except in the matter of secrecy. On that point I can never be released
and never seek to be; but in respect to the statements I am about to
make, my former associates,--deeming their publication might serve to
correct some of the erroneous opinions that are put into circulation
by individuals who arrogate to themselves a knowledge, of which they
have not the slightest iota,--not only sanction, but command me to
present to the candid inquirer the following brief definition of
genuine practical

OCCULTISM--ANCIENTLY WRITTEN IN "CABALA."

OCCULTISM is a study and application of the occult, or hidden
principles and forces of the Universe, or, in its more limited sense,
of Nature.

The study of occultism is called speculative. The application of that
study is practical occultism.

Speculative occultism includes opinions and teachings, often so widely
at variance with commonly received beliefs that it would be extremely
unwise to subject it to the criticism of persons generically called
the world. Speculative occultism of course might be regarded as
_speculative only_, were it not possible by the aid of practical
occultism to demonstrate its truths.

The subjects which engage the attention of the speculative occultist
are THE CREATOR, or creative power; WORLD BUILDING, and the order and
design of the earth and its spirit spheres; MAN, and his relations to
the Creator, the earth, and his fellow-man.

DESCENT OF SPIRIT into matter, and its growth through embryotic
stages, during which period it is first _elemental_, then _animal_,
then _man_.

ASCENT OF SPIRIT out of matter, a