704. I mention the foregoing as a specimen. I have received a great many communications purporting to be both from my son and a daughter, who died at the age of eighteen, quite as remarkable as the above. Now, admitting the two facts of physical force and intelligence, I don’t know even then that spirits are the agents; but it seems probable, because I doubt whether any other explanation can be given, that will appear at all reasonable. It is very evident that there is an intelligence that governs the world; but if that intelligence has given us no revelation excepting what is in nature, then it appears to me that every thing that can give us any knowledge of what we are to be hereafter, is valuable beyond all price. Uncertainty upon this matter is painful, but then we know so little about the Deity, that I think there is great uncertainty in our views of what he does, either to prevent or bring to pass the good and evil that we see around us. Yours, very respectfully, AMASA HOLCOMB. _Some parts of a letter to Mr. Holcomb, in reply to the parts of his letter relating to Spiritualism._ PHILADELPHIA, February 24, 1854. 705. _Dear Sir_: There is a great resemblance in your sentiments, as described in your letter of the 20th, (just received,) and those which I entertain, excepting that while I am very desirous—I may say extremely desirous—to learn something which may prove another state of existence, I am not unhappy at my not being able to find out the truth. If I have less hopes, I have also less fears, than those who have heaven and hell both to encounter. I do not envy those who are placed in the situation of depending upon the estimate which may be formed of them hereafter, whether they are to be placed among the “_sheep_” or “_the goats_.” 706. It is true that the gospel holds out the idea on one hand that intense belief, called faith, will wash away sin; but on the other, it is said, that “he who knoweth his Master’s will, yet doeth it not,” shall be beaten with many stripes, while he who is ignorant of that will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with few. Under these circumstances, who can escape flagellation? Who is it that does the will of God, as enumerated by Christ? Who loves his neighbour as himself? Who presents a second cheek on receiving a blow on one? Who gives his coat, when his cloak has been taken? Who returns good for evil? Who acts as if it were as hard for a rich man to go to heaven as for a camel to get through the eye of a needle? 707. Unless our missionaries can make better Christians abroad than they leave at home, it were inhuman to add to the number, who are to be pre-eminently punished for their neglect of their Master’s will, while fully apprized of it. In many cases a pagan will be better off than his nominally Christian instructor, although he should not prove a convert to Christianity.