“Regarding the Electric Theory of Religion, it is curious to observe how the truth of it has again and again been dimly shadowed forth in the prophecies of Art, Science, and Poesy.  The old painters who depicted a halo of light round the head of their Virgins and Saints did so out of a correct impulse which they did not hesitate to obey. [Footnote:  An impulse which led them vaguely to foresee, though, not to explain, the electric principle of spiritual life.] The astronomers who, after years of profound study, have been enabled to measure the flames of the burning sun, and to find out that these are from two to four thousand miles high, are nearly arrived at the conclusion that it is a world in a state of conflagration, in which they will be perfectly right.  Those who hold that this Earth of ours was once self-luminous are also right; for it was indeed so when first projected from the Electric Ring.  The compilers or inventors of the ‘Arabian Nights’ also hit upon a truth when they described human beings as forced through evil influences to take the forms of lower animals—­a truth just explained in the Law of Retrogression.  All art, all prophecy, all poesy, should therefore be accepted eagerly and studied earnestly, for in them we find electric inspiration out of which we are able to draw lessons for our guidance hereafter.  The great point that scientists and artists have hitherto failed to discover, is the existence of the Central Sphere and its Surrounding Electric Circle.  Once realize these two great facts, and all the wonders and mysteries of the Universe are perfectly easy of comprehension.

“In conclusion, I offer no opinion as to which is Christ’s Church, or the Fountain-head of spirituality in the world.  In all Churches errors have intruded through unworthy and hypocritical members.  In a crowded congregation of worshippers there may perhaps be only one or two who are free from self-interest and personal vanity.  In Sectarianism, for instance, there is no shred of Christianity.  Lovers of God and followers of Christ must, in the first place, have perfect Unity; and the bond uniting them must be an electric one of love and faith.  No true Christian should be able to hate, despise, or envy the other.  Were I called upon to select among the churches, I should choose that which has most electricity working within it, and which is able to believe in a positive electrical communication between Christ and herself taking place daily on her altars—­a Church which holds, as it were, the other end of the telegraphic ray between Earth and the Central Sphere, and which is, therefore, able to exist among the storms of modern opinions, affording refuge and consolation to the few determined travellers who are bound onward and upward.  I shall not name the Church I mean, because it is the duty of everyone to examine and find it out for himself or herself.  And even though this Church instinctively works in the right direction, it is full of errors introduced by ignorant and unworthy members—­errors which must be carefully examined and cast aside by degrees.  But, as I said before, it is the only Church which has Principles of Electricity within it, and is therefore destined to live, because electricity is life.