There are, undoubtedly, innumerable beings in the world of spirits, besides departed souls, the Redeemer, and the Father.  But of such beings we have, while here, no absolute and specific knowledge.  In every age, as well as in our own, there have been persons who have believed themselves to hold communication with unseen spirits.  The methods of entering into such communication have been infinitely diversified, from the incantations of ancient sorcery to the mediums and rappings of the present day.  In former periods, particularly where the belief of witchcraft prevailed, it was thought that such communications could be had only with evil spirits, and, mostly, with the Chief of evil spirits.  They were accordingly treated as criminal, and made the subject of the severest penalties known to the law.  In our day, no such penalties are attached to the practice of seeking spiritual communications.  Those who have a fancy for such experiments are allowed to amuse themselves in this way without reproach or molestation.  It is not charged upon them that they are dealing with the Evil One or any of his subordinates.  They do not imagine such a thing themselves.  I have no disposition, at any time, in any given case, to dispute the reality of the wonderful stories told in reference to such matters.  All that I am prompted ever to remark is, that, if spirits do come, as is believed, at the call of those who seek to put themselves into communication with them, there is no evidence, I venture to suggest, that they are good spirits.  I have never heard of their doing much good, substantially, to any one.  No important truth has been revealed by them, no discovery been made, no science had its field enlarged; no department of knowledge has been brought into a clearer light; no great interest has been promoted; no movement of human affairs, whether in the action of nations or the transactions of men, has been advanced or in any way facilitated; no impulse has been given to society, and no elevation to life and character.  It may be that the air is full of spiritual beings, hovering about us; but all experience shows that no benefit can be derived from seeking their intervention to share with us the duties or the burdens of our present probation.  The mischiefs which have flowed from the belief that they can operate upon human affairs, and from attempting to have dealings with them, have been illustrated in the course of our narrative.  In this view of the subject, no law is needed to prevent real or pretended communication with invisible beings.  Enlightened reflection, common sense, natural prudence, would seem to be sufficient to keep men from meddling at all with practices, or countenancing notions, from which all history proclaims that no good has ever come, but incalculable evil flowed.