The Immortal Life
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Mr. Wallace`s New Work
We have received from the London publisher, James Burns a copy of a new volume bearing the title, “On Miracles and Modern Spiritualism; Three Essays By Alfred Russel Wallace, author of 'Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selections,' &c” These essays are not now for the first time published, but all have been carefuly revised, and considerable additions have been made to them, among which are some critical remarks on Dr. Carpenter’s latest work.
It has been charged upon Mr. Wallace that his divergence from some of the views of Mr. Darwin arises from his belief in Spiritualism. We quote that part of the Preface in which Mr. Wallace notices and effectually disposes of this charge.
From the age of fourteen I lived with an elder brother, of advanced liberal and philosophical opinions, and I soon lost (and have never since regained) all capacity of being affected in my judgments, either by clerical influence or religious prejudice. Up to the time when I first became acquainted with the facts of Spiritualism, I was a confirmed philosophical sceptic, rejoicing in the works of Voltaire, Strauss, and Carl Vogt, and an ardent admirer of (as I am still) of Herbert Spenecr. I was so thorough and confirmed a materialist that I could not at that time find a place in my mind for the conception of spiritual existence, or for any other agencies in the universe than matter and force. Facts however are stubborn things. M y curiosity was at first excited by some slight but inexplicable phenomena occurring in a friend's family, and my desire for knowledge and love of truth forced me to continue the inquiry. The facts became more and more assured, more and more varied, more and more removed from anything that modern science taught or <... continues on page 3-225 >
Editor's notes
Sources
Spiritual Scientist, v. 2, No. 14, June 10, 1875, pp. 164-5