SCRIBE'S INTRODUCTION.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR, AND HISTORY OF THE PRODUCTION OF THIS VOLUME.

A work of an unprecedented character is here presented to the world. It consists of the consecutive reasonings and revelations of a spirit freed—by a certain physical process, the philosophy of which is explained—from the obstructing influence of the material body original: "organization", and raised to a position which gave access to a knowledge of the structure and laws of the whole material and spiritual Universe. It treats subjects of the profoundest interest and of the most unspeakable importance to the human race. As its claims are admittedly of the most startling character, and its professed disclosures—along with the phenomena attending them—are in some respects unparalleled in the history of psychology, it is certainly only fair that the world should be provided with a plain, concise, yet detailed account of the author of the book. This includes a history of its origin and production, and the means of either verifying or refuting what is said concerning the source from which it sprang and the methods employed in its creation. A few preliminary remarks, however, are considered appropriate as an introduction to the statements to be submitted here.

It is obvious to every intelligent mind that the condition of the human race—socially, nationally, mentally, and spiritually—is continually changing. There is at present no civilized nation on the globe which does not present a totally different aspect regarding manners, customs, social structure, science, art, religion, and all the social norms original: "conventionalisms" of life, compared to any nation existing on the earth four thousand years ago. Every period of human history shows, on the whole, a distinct progress in the condition of mankind beyond that of previous periods. Instances of apparent backward movement original: "retrogression"—such as the various catastrophes that have occurred at different times during the geological history of the earth—only demonstrate the apparent disorder natural to a transition from a lower to a higher state of development. In passing through the crude semi-barbarism of the early ages to the refinements and intellectual and artistic achievements of the nineteenth century, the race has, of course, passed through every intermediate stage of cultivation. Close observation and analysis will prove that every major stage of human progress has been accompanied by new and distinct mental and social needs. In order that these might be properly supplied, new resources have been invariably opened, and new tools original: "instrumentalities" have been established.