sion with which the social principles she advocated in their highest sense were received. She was introduced to Mrs. Anne Kimball, and through the agency of a few friends commenced to receive patients at her rooms. With the honesty of a strong and pure nature, one ready to sacrifice the world for her conscience, Mrs. Fletcher avowed her adherence to the principle that love-the highest love, that is-between man and woman should be free; not, however, with the freedom of license, but of liberty. This apparently muchmisunderstood doctrine, which, so far as I am aware, simply means harmonious instead of inharmonious marriage, and liberty to make it, brought her no little criticism from some of those British minds whose tendency it is to materialise, and consequently degrade, the higher truths of humanity. It, however, excited the sympathy of a few thoughtful friends. Among these and others to whom she gave daily sittings, she remained for some three months in London. Then came the order to leave, given as suddenly as was the one in Boston. One night she heard a spirit-voice say to her, "Everything is ready for your return. We have made a way for Mr. Fletcher." She was told to prepare at once, and that she would be able to go. With unquestioning faith she drove next morning to the offices of the Cunard Company, and found she could leave by train in time to catch the steamer at Queenstown, and on her arrival there she went on board. They had not steamed out far before Mrs. Fletcher felt a singular influence, and a prevision of events which were to happen during the voyage. The captain was a materialist, but it did not prevent her from telling him what she foresaw, and while they were walking together on the deck she said, “I

Within eight days the twelve out of the four

feel that we are going to have a gale before we land, and when eight days out we shall have a collision, and there will be loss of life, but not on our side." The captain laughed, and replied that she was a cheerful prophet. The prophecies, however, were verified. steamer ran down a schooner, and teen sailors on board the latter were drowned, and after a calm passage, the weather suddenly changed, and they encountered a three days' gale. Five persons became converts to spiritualism during the voyage, and the subject was much discussed, a veteran spiritualist being among the passengers. Meetings were held in the saloon, and lectures given on Sunday, and a successful séance concluded the manifestations, which even amid the unfavourable conditions and influences surrounding an ocean steamer did not fail to give proof of the power of spirits to advise and forewarn, and to furnish evidence of the reality of the

unseen.

Amid apparently insurmountable obstacles, the long journey to England had been accomplished in safety, and the way prepared for her husband's work to begin.

Who in these days would have started on a voyage of thousands of miles, with no adequate means either for the journey or the necessaries of life at the journey's end? Like the Apostles of old these two workers went forth as they were bidden, "having neither scrip, nor gold, nor silver," nor anything provided.

CHAPTER III.

SENT INTO THE WORLD.

"A gentle sound, an awful light!
Two angels bear the Holy Grail.”

WILLIAM FLETCHER had now achieved that which

is essential to every great worker in the world,—his independence. His sensitive nature had, previously to this, shrunk from all contact with strangers, and he trusted to the one who was most closely associated with him,—his. wife—to stand between him and the various and keenlyfelt influences of the many visitors who called upon him for interviews, and to obtain proofs of the reality of his extraordinary gifts. Forced to rely upon himself or to give up what he felt to be a sacred truth, he summoned up courage to go on alone, and in this way the latent strength of his spirit became developed for a world-wide crusade.

Success began to make his name widely known, but just as a pathway seemed open before him for permanent and influential work in America, his health suddenly failed him again, and domestic trouble rose to its climax and severed him at once and for ever from the home-ties to which he had always clung. Symptoms of lung-disease of an alarming kind showed themselves, and his medical attendant said that residence in a warm climate was absolutely necessary. To William the advice seemed much the same as a recommendation to stand for the Presidency of the United States. His fortune was sacrificed; he had only just begun to obtain means sufficient on which to live, and a long and

expensive journey demanding a large sum of money and absolute rest for himself was a scheme which appeared to him utterly hopeless. He could only give up his séances for a time, and rely on the assistance rendered by Mrs. Fletcher, which was necessary for their bare maintenance. She gave sittings, and devoted her time and wonderful spiritual gifts to their visitors, and he remained helpless in the grasp of what seemed likely to prove a fatal disease. But the same God who had given him a power which at the appointed time was destined to influence our age, and which had led him forth to make that power recognised by his fellows, decreed that His work should be done, and in His own way, notwithstanding every obstacle. The New

Year came. On the 1st January, 1876, one of his band of spirits came to him and wished him a "happy New Year." It seemed almost like a mockery, but the far-seeing spirit went on-"This year," he said, "will be one of the most eventful in your life. You will cross the water; before a month is out, you will be in London."

It seemed incredible: the two forlorn workers could only accept the message in silence, and await the result. They did not wait long. On the 7th a gentleman whom they had happened to meet, called upon them to say goodbye. He was about to leave the United States, and to go to Europe for the remainder of the winter. In the course of conversation, and while he was expressing his regret at the condition of William's health, Mrs. Fletcher could not help exclaiming in reply, "I wish Mr. Fletcher were going with you!" The gentleman instantly answered, "Let him come." She, of course, replied that it was out of the question, and the subject was dropped. On the

following Sunday night, however, their friend called again, accompanied by his wife. He said: "You know I am not a medium, but I dreamed that a spirit came to me last night and said Take Fletcher with you.' Why can't he come?" Mrs. Fletcher said "You know his circumstances, and how impossible it is for him to take such a journey as you propose." The lady, however, pressed the point. 6. I ask," she said, "for his companionship as a favour. It will complete our party, and he will be able to accompany my daughter to places where I have not energy enough to take her. It will help his mediumship." But the Fletchers,

it

"It is the only

Will you not come ?"

left them, after being

from a feeling of doubt as to the expediency of the plan suggested, again declined the kind offer. In vain Mr. S urged William to reconsider thing," he said, "to save your life. He replied, "No." And Mr. S finally told that the plan was absolutely impossible. At five o'clock that morning a spirit controlled Mrs. Fletcher and said to her husband, "Get up and pack your trunk, and at once." The energy of the spirit and the urgent command had its effect; he was told that it was a duty, and that the proposal made to him had been purposely designed, and he felt an irresistible power was influencing him. He rose at once, and obeyed the order. Hardly was his trunk filled before Mr. S came again, and informed them that he had not been able to sleep. He found William, to his delight, prepared to join him, and only just in time. They drove off together: the berth was secured, and the following day the invalid was on his way to Europe, and the prophecy that he would be in London in the course of the month was fulfilled. After spending a