Von Humboldt--Madame, the bent of mind which, during earth life, has impelled mortals in certain directions or toward special pursuits, is an inherent part of each individual. Entering upon an advanced plane of existence I found myself possessed of the same inclinations and traits as formerly characterized me. The same may be said of our friends, Agassiz, Darwin, Bulwer Lytton, Bruno and others of this Band. The chemist, the mathematician, the geologist, the naturalist, the astronomer, the mystic each is true to his inherent traits or tendencies. When freed from the ills and cares incident to mortal existence, with quickened senses and desires, with enlarged abilities and the universe an open book in which all who strive for attainment may learn to read the wondrous story written by Infinite Intelligent Energy, strange, indeed, would it be did not these and all aspiring Spirits in time acquire a larger knowledge of such arts, sciences or pursuits as dominated their lives on the physical plane. In contradistinction one must use such terms as Spirit, mortal, spiritual, physical and others. Yet, substantially, they all are states of being. Spirit, _per se_, as we understand it, is the vitalizing, unchanging principle which expresses the infinite, intelligent, indestructible, unvarying, all pervading energy and in every atom of the universe this indivisible spirit is manifested. As without substantiality there can be no existence or state of being, conclusively, spirit is substantial and all entities or individualized expressions of substance hold within them the spiritualized potentiality of evolution or growth. And, as in each individualized expression of substance there is a quality which may be termed plasticity, it follows that through inheritance and environment entities evolve in various directions, thus manifesting the scientific, the artistic and other tendencies. Yes, the spirit body is as substantial as is the physical body, _but of a finer expression of substance_. You now are apart from your physical body, yet you are conscious that your spirit body is substantial, and where there is consciousness there is being, which is but another name for spirit. I may add that there is not an atom of the universe that is not, in a certain sense, _conscious_, hence, in a certain sense, _individualized and intelligent_. I am aware, madame, that I have answered your questions in a superficial manner; at present I cannot do otherwise. Our chemist is ready to light our way to the outer world and you will allow me to assist you. As we proceed, I shall, with your permission, relate a past personal experience.